Being 'Right'

2023:

For vegans, we have such cast iron arguments that we can’t believe they don’t have magical powers. Certainly, our arguments are powerful but maybe not yet imbued with magic. Our job is to bring them to life.

To animal-food-addicted omnivores, our arguments are unacceptable. They build cast iron barricades to guard themselves from vegan assault. In the end it comes down to perception - our arguments might as well have no weight at all if we, as ‘identifiable-with humans’, seem like poor ambassadors.

We know omnivore logic is faulty but the trap for us, with our better arguments, is that we sound so ‘right’. It’s our smugness that puts people off. “Look at me, how healthy, guiltless”, etc. It’s what they call here in Australia “big-noting oneself”.

We, as vegans, have to control our passions, and make sure we don’t signal that we’re ready to forfeit friendliness for the sake of making a point. What is so hard for omnivores, when they talk with a vegan, is that they don’t know if we’ll suddenly ‘turn’ on them. 

We must be always respectful, always affectionate but always stirring.