1952:
I know that my feeling of
empathy and compassion for animals is right, of course it is, because it’s anti-slavery.
It feels right in the same way as non-violence feels right. I’ve never heard
anyone denounce vegan principle or say that it was in any way wrong.
But the subject agitates
people. They show plainly that they don’t want to discuss it. They don’t like
me voicing my opinion on animal matters in general. And if I attack their views,
if my arguments get at all heated, I know I’ve gone too far and then I prefer
to withdraw.
I’m always having to remind
myself that, in a free world, each person is entitled to their own opinion and
it’s ridiculous to wage war over a puff of smoke. I don’t need everyone to
agree with me, I don’t need to take on every red neck I meet. I don’t need to
parry every joke made at my expense. And by the same token I mustn’t feel
intimidated by what others say, even if they’re powerful political figures or corporations.
Vegans can be confident
simply by virtue of the fact that they are vegan. In the end my own example is
the most powerful weapon I have. If I start to get aggressive it means I’m
afraid of defeat. And I know I needn’t be afraid of anyone since no one has the
courage to take any of us on in serious debate.
As far as I know, this is the
only subject which non-vegans have never dared to thoroughly talk about in
public.
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