We want thinkers not agree-ers

If we are attempting to convince the majority that what they do is wrong and that they should listen to the tiny minority of vegans, we need to have something very attractive on offer. And maybe that’s what we do have. We’re useful. Without a doubt, we can show the way to get off unhygienic, disease-ridden and appallingly unhealthy foods and replace them with something far better. And we also offer a way to escape being involved with the horrendous animal crimes that all consumers are part of. But there is much more. Alongside these attractions there’s the self respect that comes from pulling away from the brainwashed habits we’ve inherited, of exploiting animals because they can’t fight back. Veganism stands against bullying, namely the dominion of humans over animals and turning them into commodities. Vegan lifestyle is cheaper, kinder, more intelligent and it encourages us to be original in our food preparation – eat at a vegan household and you’ll experience new tastes and new dishes, and the cuisine is often a surprise, that such delicious foods can be made from plant based ingredients. But above all this, the most significant attraction is that by becoming vegan we can speak out about the repairs that could transform our species … if enough of us take up vegan eating. By becoming vegan we can join with the growing band of people who are concerned about their planet’s future and think the non-violent approach is the answer. In other words by becoming vegan it allows us to take a brave stand.
Vegans are brave in what they do in their private lives, some go a bit further and are brave in speaking out amidst hostility and ridicule, but there are yet other vegans who are wise enough to move away from being accusers to being helpers. They try to be useful with their time and energy. They try to show people their good natures and that the greater good is something well worth considering. In terms of communicating our message and winning respect, this approach will work where angry tirades against wrong-doing won’t. It’s a slower, surer way of approaching communication but if it were any quicker it would stray into brainwashing. Effectively we are selling a new ‘product’, a new attitude and a new awareness which most people have never really thought about. If we want it to appear attractive it must be upbeat. But more importantly, because we are aiming at long term change we’re not trying to get people merely to agree with us but to think things through for themselves.