Vegans going in for the kill

819: 

Vegans who remark upon the ethics of a food usually cause consternation but when we make a value judgement about an omnivore’s diet it usually provokes anger. Provocation is a blunt instrument to get people to change. How else will it happen? It seems the most obvious way.

But I think provocation is a trap. Most omnivores aren’t stupid. They know precisely what we’re up to when we try to provoke them. If they aren’t ready to defend themselves straight away, they’ll surely be next time we try to stir them up.

            These days it’s unlikely the average Western-educated person is unaware of veganism, or at least that there is an ‘animal-rights’ perspective to consider, when dealing with certain foods. If we vegans come along and spring a heavy message on a person, yes, we’ll have an impact. But we mightn’t get away with it a second time. People will wise up to us (as you do with Jehovah Witnesses knocking at the front door). They’ll be prepared and shut off.

            A kindly, non-quarrelsome omnivore might put up with what we’re saying, but only for so long. They may encourage us by saying a few nice things (perhaps just to shut us up). They may even think of us as caring and compassionate people, even tell us we’re kind or wise. They might come across as polite, friendly and interested. But inside their heads, what are they really thinking?

            When we point out something important - “Do you know that the meat you’re eating, it was once  …”, we don’t always realise how we provoke not only anger but fear. “You know it will destroy your health?”

            It’s so easy for a vegan, even with average public-speaking skills, to say what needs to be said and, in effect, make fools of people. And then, it’s not so difficult to go that one step further and corner them, during an discussion over issues. If we try to force agreement the omnivore will try to wriggle out of it, by saying something indefensible, untrue or just plain foolish. And then we’ve got them ... or so we reckon.

            It’s similar to any attack, so there’s no surprise if a strong defence is mounted. The omnivore sees the vegan as ‘right’ (read obnoxious). They tell their friends, “If a vegan comes along and has a chat with you, watch out! Don’t say something really stupid. Beware. They can be nasty. They always go in for the kill!”