We want thinkers not agree-ers

If we are attempting to convince the majority that what they do is wrong (eating animals) 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 have - 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 involvement with horrendous animal crimes, which all consumers are part of. But there’s more. Alongside these attractions there’s the self respect in pulling away from brainwashed habits (attacking animals who can’t fight back).
Veganism stands against bullying, that’s all. It’s merely an attitude against the dominion of humans over animals and our turning them into commodities. Vegan lifestyle is cheaper, kinder, more intelligent and original – eat at a vegan household and you’ll experience food preparations, new tastes and new dishes, and the cuisine will probably be a surprise, that such food can be made from plant based ingredients.
But these are the ‘me-centred’ advantages of veganism. More significant is the attraction of advocacy, being conscience-free to act of the animals’ behalf and having no double standards weighing our arguments down. As potential activists, for the first time we are kosher. Free to speak out about the repairs needed, that could transform our species … THAT IS if enough of us take up vegan eating, etc. By moving towards being vegan (no one is totally vegan) and eventually becoming vegan, we can join a growing band of people who are concerned about the planet’s future. The same people who don’t see any form of violence playing a part. In other words by becoming vegan we allow ourselves to take a brave stand.
Vegans are brave in what they do, in their private lives and maybe also in public. Some decide to speak out, enjoy the battle despite hostility and ridicule. Other vegans choose to do it the other way, by trying to be useful and showing people their good natures. Whether we are screaming “vegan” from an orange box or arguing our case or setting an example, in whatever way we choose to express vegan principe we are doing it in the cause of the greater good. It’s something worth considering.
In terms of communicating our message and winning respect, this approach allows vegan thinking to chew over this niche idea and see it becoming the main market force. With veganism we are, effectively, selling a job-lot, including a new ‘product’, a new attitude, another whole awareness. It has to be upbeat since most people have never really thought about (and won’t want to unless it is).
More importantly, it’s a long-term set-up. Veganism is aiming at long term change. We aren’t trying to get people merely to agree with us but to think things through for themselves and arrive at their own conclusions.