Force

Experimenting with the use of force – we’ve all done it - experimenting with advantage-taking. But once we take out the ‘force factor’ in what we do, what are we left with? Perhaps we’re nicer for it if only because we’ve decided to try to free ourselves from the grip of violence-based habits.
As humans we’re capable of wonderful things, not the least of which is our ability to ‘act on principle’ rather than from ‘me-first’. One such principle is non-violence. We can weigh the pros and cons and decide: the weighing process looks at the obvious disadvantages and benefits. And it sees, as one of the most attractive aspects of non-violence, that people who are seem to be more tolerant and more accepting, without being too passive. Within non-violence is a provocateur spirit.
This element of rebellion or provoking or questioning is needs to use no violence other than gently taking the piss out of omnivores for being … well, omnivore. Surely this approach must be about the healthiest element in Society, “keeping the bastards honest”. Vegans are most effective, I think, when they are being simultaneously passive and pro-active, just as they are when they boycott.
The boycott is a withdrawal from a world-that-need-not-be. Our pressure as vegans brings this world into focus. It looks seditious, rebellious and almost outrageous. The vegan act of rebellion needs no other energy than in the fun of being rebellious.
So, morality to one side for a moment, this active acceptance attitude that many vegans consciously try to practise, is basically proving to the world that force is ugly and compassion is the new fashion; you can live very happily being a boycotter of violence. Omnivores believe it’s probably too hard to do, to become vegan, but then that has been planted as part of the conspiracy of misinformation put out by The Animal Industries.