In the Shadow of the Abattoir

2081:

The omnivore is still blasé when passing the abattoir down the road. They remain un-shocked. Why? Perhaps because, in the weed patch of violence we all live in, it’s difficult to separate problem weeds from the relatively harmless variety – the ‘holocausting’ of animals isn’t yet seen as a problem.

With all the violence going on about us, why don’t we see this particular violence as significant? Well firstly, unlike the barrage of ads on TV for meat, the killing of all these animals isn’t exactly ‘in our face’. And when it is, it’s thrust at us too confrontingly, like when the animal rights message gets through and is associated with activist-types who the general public can’t relate to or identify with.

Omnivores’ sensitivities are blunted by their addiction to ‘yummy’ animal stuff, but also by the fact that the abattoir is not ‘just down the road’ or even near by. Both it and the animal farms are out of town, privately owned and what happens there is behind closed doors. The ‘dark side’ is hidden while the attractive side, in the form of ‘yummy’ food, is flashed in our faces every day on TV. We’re shown lovely-looking people selling lovely-looking products. The omnivores buy it. They feel normal, safe and satisfied. The products even seem efficacious.

Are omnivores too easily swayed by what others do? Are omnivores hard hearted? Maybe. But normality is powerful enough to smother everything. We don’t indulge in individual thoughts on these weighty matters; thinking is not encouraged. We are kept in the juvenile unthinking state by vested interests; we do as others do; there’s no need to feel personally responsible.

Indifference

2080:

We’ve all grown up with an omnivore’s indifference about animals, the ones you eat anyway. Becoming herbivore is quite a big step.

Once vegan, we’re almost alone in a non-vegan world. So, we try to get others to join us, and that can be a problem, when people push us away if we try to convert them. Omnivorousness is like a flow of water, the more you stand in its way the more it flows around you. Our information might have been arresting enough for us to take notice of, but for those who are not ready, our words simply sound antagonising.

Animal Rights exploded onto the scene some forty years ago, when the book Animal Liberation was first published and The Animals Film came out. The shock was fresh then. But now, it seems that everyone knows the essential details, it’s all ho-hum, so the shock-approach seems stale. Even back then, the ‘latest information’ didn’t inspire people to veganism and, without that, nothing will change.

Since the 1970-80s, the Animal Rights movement has understandably concentrated on instances of extreme animal cruelty instead of explaining why exploiting another sentient species is morally wrong. The numbed public need to have their sensitivities reawakened with some careful explanation. It may be obvious to us, but it’s likely not as obvious to most others who, on this subject, generally don’t often want to think about it for themselves.

Picking-up On Vegan

2079:

It’s been a lot of fun, out on protests, with mates in a group, screaming about the horrors of animal abuse. It felt good to protest this way, it felt ‘right’. But there’s a ‘cooler’ way to communicate without seeming angry, disapproving or indeed hypocritical about being models of conscientious peacefulness. If there’s even a hint of double standard on our part, we might be seen to be unreliable and therefore possibly wrong about everything. Poorly-informed advocates get uptight when our information is challenged. Once we get upset (and can be seen to be made upset) we bring out our angry and quarrelsome ‘true nature’, and this makes it easier for people to NOT identify with us and to reject what we are saying. It’s easy for angry vegans to look unimpressive.

Communicating In A Flash

2078:

We need seconds to get everything we have to say across. It's the calmness in our voice that gets us a few more moments. If we're speaking for the voiceless - we should speak as they might, calmly and never forcefully.

Look at it this way: Why are there so many animals here in the first place, aren’t some sort of missionaries? Are they here to teach humans how to be more … well, rather like themselves.

If so, it’s a big job they’ve taken on.

Perhaps there are so many farm animals on the planet because theirs is a slow but extra powerful magic,. It has to be to bring humans around.

Humans are narcissistic and species-superior, which is why we are so obstinate when it comes to maintaining our rule over the planet. This obstinacy has built us both brains and mastery, but this same obstinacy has made it impossible for us to see what we don’t want to see. Even when we see it with our own eyes, the beauty and calmness in an animal’s face, we still know our survival-in-comfort and our healthy bank balance are to be valued. We can’t endanger either.

In order to establish our safety, humans think we have the right to exploit. Until we treat the animals in a civilised way we will never know how to treat each other properly. And we do certainly put each other through a lot of misery and suffering. As with humans, so with animals.

As vegans, we are animal advocates, reaching out to the collective consciousness and hoping to invalidate violence.

All we have are words. But they need have no sharp edges. As long as we stick to the rule regarding permission to speak, then it is down to the omnivore’s generosity towards us, by allowing us in, to be granting us their permission. If we get their go-ahead then we can run with it, say what needs to be said, and for the few seconds we might have their attention we need to have our words at the ready. We must be clear, neat, short and kind with them. So, whilst talking, we must keep an eye on any signs of withdrawal on their part.

If permission is not forthcoming we'd best go home, and say nothing. It’s either a 'yes' or a 'no', and if it’s 'no' then either we haven’t approached the matter with enough magic, or the person we're talking to is really not-yet-ready. Or a complete no-hoper.

Dry Philosophy

2077:

I was told years ago that in Australia you shouldn’t mention the ‘ph’ word. It puts people off. But philosophy is what it is. Take it or leave it.

‘Vegan principle’ is a philosophy for life. It can be summed up in the simple sound bite - “no-use-of-animals”. It’s daunting. Yet it’s a bold promise for a better life. Vegans hope to lull people towards acceptance of what might, at first, seem like a massive lifestyle restriction. But as vegans soon find out, it is simply thinking adventurously.

Animal advocates are informing people of the nuts and bolts, saying what many omnivores secretly want to know, but can’t admit wanting to know. Considering becoming vegan is tied up to giving one’s life meaning and construction, rather than conniving with some terrible destruction.

When we think of the various secretions and animal tissues we routinely consume, we know it comes from executed animals. As vegans, we sow that seed, and we hopefully leave something behind us something useful which people can contemplate later.

I remember being dragged to school and church and finding nothing pleasant to look forward to there. But no one is ever dragged along to see a conjurer - we go happily, voluntarily. ‘Vegan’ sounds serious but it’s magic too. Omnivores won’t come across that until they’re ready to forgo one thing for the sake of the other.

Our job might be to chivvy them up from the sidelines. We can spruik. But carefully. Ultimately, this is a very private matter replete with feelings, attitudes and decisions - it’s up to each person, in their own time, to organise how and if and when to make changes to lifestyle and attitude. Then, when the time comes, we can change without looking back.

All that vegans can do is hand out ‘sample packs’ - if you want any more you can sing it yourself. It all depends on whether or not ‘it’ can be taken in, and whether one is up to such a magic show.

For our part, transformation can happen at any time, and then the vegan advocate must be prepared and ready with some useful magic - the magic of perspective and practical assistance … but … when the time is ripe, when a person is ready to open up to the subject.

The Cafe

2076:

The café is always open but it doesn’t sell cheap. We, at the café, are maybe not what we seem at first. Our windows are kept a little misty to keep them guessing what’s inside: we have a come-in-if-you-dare look about us.

We encourage people to enter our café that oozes delicious smells. This is no junk café. And we sell to young and old alike.

The best things in life are never obvious. It’s likely most people haven’t thought too much about veganism. They think only what they want to think, that vegans are simply diet freaks. But it’s deeper than food, health and animal issues, we’ve got something panacea-like going for us, and it doesn’t sell cheap. “Come in. Take a sample from this café. If you’re interested, come back tomorrow for more; we sell more than food”. Our café is always open.

Moving Day

2075:

Free-willed humans guard their own space. No one gets in without permission. Vegans may want a chance to influence others’ thinking, but is that going to happen? We, as advocates for the ‘forgotten ones’, want to get inside the omnivore’s head, rearrange a few parts, get them to see things another way. But we go nowhere without their permission. We may want to give our omnivore friends our best shot, but first we have to encourage them into thinking, and thinking big.

I’m planning on driving over to your place, along rough roads. I’m still at home. I’m searching for my car keys. I find them, I turn on the ignition, the car actually works, the machine will get me there. In specific ways, I know the roads. My machine functions well on these roads. I’m travelling over towards your place. But all the way? Why not meet half way. Perhaps your car’s not good on these difficult roads. And the car’s a bit rickety anyway.

So, I’m going all the way, to meet you. I’m on the move. We discussed meeting half way but decided my car is good on these roads. So why don’t I come all the way over. At least I’ve got you thinking about a half-way meeting. Where we meet is irrelevant. As long as there’s some thinking-about-it-movement. As long as I can hear the sound of your car engine, I’ll know we’re both getting somewhere.

Finding A Parking Spot

2074:

When we get talking to someone about Animal Rights, at first we want them to make an effort, to think about the subject. So, perhaps instead of driving over to their place we need them to come half way, towards us. Maybe meeting near the middle, which is a point where we are at ease with each other. That means, first and foremost, establishing and maintaining a friendly atmosphere. We want their respect: they want our non-judgement of them.

Driving over to their place may be largely our idea. We set the ball rolling - getting them thinking. So, our ‘no-use-animal’ idea, if it’s to impact on them, means they have to travel past their own resistance, past preconception and even a little bit further, so they’re not put off by our boasting about our being ‘vegan’.

If we want parking rights over at their place we must make the best use of them. We may only have them for a limited time. Talking vegan is heavy. Why would anyone want to be listening to me talk to them about this subject?

How long will it be before their patience runs out, before they want us gone?

After we get permission to enter, it’s a question of striking a balance – and not overstaying our welcome. We don’t want to get a parking ticket from our friends.

First Principles

2073:

We’re friends, having a chat. Why would you want to talk with me about Animal Rights? Hopefully, you’re interested but, knowing me, I hope you know I’ll stick to the rules.

You know I’m not out to get you. Just to pass across information. Trust my reasoning – if you see that I don’t want to drown you, you’re more likely to dip your toes into the chilly water.

Let me put it this way: if I want to drive my car over to your place, enter your home, and then have access to your mind, I need a parking spot, pre-arranged – there must be room for what I’ve got to say, otherwise I won’t say it.

Let me put it another way: if I’m going to open my mouth, I need you to signal that I’m safe to enter your attitude-space.

Here’s the deal: if you are willing to make room for me, it’s only reasonable that I’d need to offer you something in return. I come bearing gifts. Of advice if asked for. I promise it will be carefully and tastefully wrapped.

So, here I am. Driving over to your place: I’m hoping to change your mind about animals. I want to get you to move from being omnivore to being herbivore. How do I do that without intruding or over-stepping the mark? You invited me around, to enter your home, but maybe not to enter your mind.

Perhaps there are some useful tricks of approach with this tricky subject. It’s like going out at night to pick up a date, and when we do, we don’t want to appear pushy. No lunging or invading. It’s the same with talking about this subject, amongst a potentially hostile group. How do I continue a conversation without losing them. It’s not immediately obvious how we do that.  

There is a huge resistance to vegan persuasions. But they want to know something of it, and it’s connected to a choice they might one day decide to make. 

People know they have choice and the right to refuse, and not fear being harassed. When vegans know this to be reality, we then see that it’s not a good idea to offer the whole orgasmic thrill of being ‘free-and-vegan’. At first - small advice. Preliminary thinking, first principles. But if we mention nothing else, we should establish where we’re coming from - that no animals should be used by humans.

No-Use-Animal

2072:

If a vegan decides to talk to a non-vegan about animal liberation, we should give them something to chew over when they get home (alongside that tasty vegan pie we’ve cooked for them). On this very serious subject we can leave them with the germ of an idea, something easy to remember that doesn’t leave bruises.

If we really want to communicate the essence of this subject with people, we have to talk their language, not the one we’re used to, full of typical vegan-to-vegan detail. They need something they can understand, plus they want to know what they can do about it.

But even before we get to that point we should talk about gradual change, about being gentle on ourselves and about NOT being overwhelmed by the implications linked to such a change in attitude. The task ahead is, of course, ‘going vegan’ and, to prove the point, boycotting everything animals are used for. That change, the moving-towards-veganism, might need to go slowly. But it does need to be consistently on-the-move.

If the wrongness of ‘using animals’ isn’t talked about, fully and frankly, then all the chit-chat in the world, about free-range farming and humane killing, is wasted talk.

The point from which any useful discussion starts is at this first principle - the non-use under any circumstance of animals.

Don't Carpet Bomb the Opposition

2071:

Keep driving, keep talking, tell them how it is, but avoid hitting people with all the facts all at once. Don’t conform to the way it’s usually done, by boring the pants off people and therefore driving them away.

If our ‘approach’ is to get people focusing on Animal Rights, we have to be sparing with our words so that we don’t become heavy or worse, a ‘dangerous vegan’. We want to avoid the ‘fight or flight’ response. Therefore, we don’t judge values when we're talking Animal Rights with omnivores. Say less to say more - the smaller the seed of truth, the less confronting it feels to those who might be wanting to consider it.

Speaking About Animal Rights

2070:

It’s a great privilege to have something original and significant to say, that others mightn’t have heard before. It’s also our responsibility not to be censorious since everything we might say can shock and frighten people off. We need to weigh our words and not let them fall too heavily. It’s not necessary to speak in high, piercing tones or get hysterical about ‘saying it as we feel it’. Maybe under-stating our own feelings, being a little inscrutable, holding ourselves in the background as it were, makes it more difficult to be written off too soon. We need to keep them guessing, to keep them focused on what we’re saying. Getting ‘the message’ across successfully may mean that we have to downplay our own emotional involvement in the subject.

Talking ‘vegan’ isn’t about converting omnivores, it’s surely about opening up discussion. It’s like a parent explaining the facts of life to a teenager - it’s a delicate matter, it’s potentially embarrassing, but the aim is surely to make sex easy to discuss. If Mum or Dad are easy to talk to, then kids feel comfortable discussing details of actual interest. It’s the same with Animal Rights, once there’s ease-of-talking, then details can be dealt with along the way.

When someone allows us to speak, unafraid of being embarrassed, they may listen … for a while. We don’t have to say everything, there and then, as if there’ll never be another chance. We don’t have to play all our best cards at once. And it follows that there is a time to talk and a time not to.