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5 tips for being a confident vegan
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When I first started veganism, I made it a point to be apologetic to everyone about my new lifestyle decision. I would also say things like "I think it's fine that you eat meat, but it's just not right for me." At the same time, there was an uncomfortable feeling I had about uttering those statements while the world was unapologetically busy slaughtering and enslaving animals at incredible rates.
My concern was with being too confrontational with people. I didn't want to be seen as someone who forces my beliefs on others or attacks others' lifestyles. I notice the same fear in other vegans and would like to tell them how unrealistic this fear is. Being open and direct about your beliefs doesn't have to be confrontation but educational.
Our use of animals is not a religion nor an entirely conscious decision made by the public, but an impression made in our culture that the consumption of animals is humane, just, and even necessary for life. Don't people
deserve the right to learn the truth? After all, with the media telling the public their masculinity, health, or happiness is in jeopardy for abstaining from animal products, who is really forcing beliefs?
Here is some of my best advice on being a proud vegan while retaining, perhaps increasing, respect from your peers and yourself.
1. Stop apologizing.
Remember vegans are members of a rights move
ment. You are living in non-violence to protest and abstain from the cruelty and slavery of sentient beings. You may not believe you're apologetic, but try to catch yourself actually acknowledging an omnivore's decision to consume an animal product as justifiable as a personal choice.
Of course we're free to think and speak as we please, but have we forgotten about the right to live free of murder and cruelty in the face of the right to consume said products? When I'm out at a restaurant with an omni friend and they ask me "Is it okay if I order the steak?" I assume they're expecting me to say "oh yes of course" because they're being considerate to my values.
Indeed I am happy they would consider my beliefs (not that they're considering the oppressed individuals whom I defend), but I never say yes. Instead, I tell them "Well, since you asked, no. I'm not. But I won't stop you." This is worded carefully, read over that sentence again.
First, I've explained very clearly I am not okay with animals being killed for steak. Second, it's important I'm reminding them "since you asked." I'm not the kind of person to walk up to peo
ple at outdoor restaurants and criticize them for what's on their plates. Respect should never be compromised for defending the rights of animals and your lifestyle decision. Third, I'm telling this friend I won't stop them from ordering or eating steak. I am not in a position to decide for this person as to what they will consume. Veganism is indeed a personal decision no one can make but the individual. That doesn't mean, however, we have to keep our mouth shut. There is a time and place for educating the public about veganism.
2. Overcome the prejudice of property.
In any rights movement, there are prejudices which drive discrimination between the oppressed and the oppressor. At least one of these prejudices in our society is the prejudice of property--that animals are usable things first, and maybe sentient self-interested creatures second. While vegans are likely to realize this, I often hear fellow vegans referring to animals not as animals but "meat" or organizations calling themselves "United Poultry Concerns" while at the same time opposing the idea chickens are "poultry" an edible product.
While it may be a breach of brevity to replace words like "meat" with "animal product" or "eat" with "consume," this is an important shift in language to convey to your peers you're not just a dieter. The American mindset reflexively returns to thinking of animals as things and resources. It's very important to convey that any exploitation of animals is unethical. You can do this politely by answering the question "are you against eating meat?" with something like "well of course I'm against animals being killed but it's only one way we exploit animals for our own trivial pleasures."
3. Keep animal rights as the core
Often, I see vegans hindering the animal rights core of veganism opting instead to hook people in on the "Eco" or health appeal of a vegan diet. While this may be more PR-friendly, eco-vegans are the mos unstable vegans. If their diet
relies solely on the ecological consequences of animal food production, they won't hesitate to consume animals raised locally or with supposed ecological reform.
This approach is also bundled with the "and then" fallacy. The "and then" fallacy is an excuse for asking people to go vegetarian (instead of vegan) or consciencious omnivore (instead of actually consciencious) in the hopes they will adopt such a change "and then" become vegan. These campaigns first send the wrong message that consuming animals in a different way is ethical. Second, the public is more likely to establish veganism as "extreme." Does it really make sense to tell people to do x, "and then" tell them x is insufficient and to do y instead?
Furthermore, eco-veganism establishes veganism as merely a diet rather than a lifestyle. Eco-veganism does not challenge the mindset that gets us into this mess. Eco-vegans make their decisions based on its effect on the environment rather than the ethical consequences for animals who have to suffer and/or die for non-edible products an eco-vegan would consume. Don't make "and then" fallacies. There's nothing wrong with gradual transitioning to a vegan diet, but giving your peers half the story in the hopes they'll fill in the rest later is inefficient and confusing.
4. Never refer to your veganism as a 'diet'.
I mentioned earlier veganism is far too often referred to as a diet rather than a lifestyle. I would encourage the reader to see my article "Why veganism is more than a diet" to understand the full scope. The gist is: The physical act of putting animal products in our mouths does not cause animal exploitation. Animals are resources, objects to be used. Whatever that end product may be is irrelevant as long as it turns a profit. That is why animals are exploited for entertainment, research, food, labor, and companionship.
Veganism is and has always been defined as a way of living where the dietary lifestyle is a large but only partial component of living non-violently. Frankly, if you live non-violently from merely your stomach, you haven't embraced the full potential of confidence by living vegan.
5. Educate.
While there's not enough space to mention all the ways you can educate the public on vegan living without fulfilling the fear of confrontation, I hope I can convince you to understand education doesn't need to be arduous or negative. Remember, there are more people than you may believe who have at least once in their life felt negatively of the animal-using culture to which we've been accustomed. While you're likely to have a few blokes tell you you're forcing your beliefs, move on.
The point is, potential vegans are neglected. So many individuals are left amongst fallacies and lies perpetuated by society and the animal
industry. They want to be vegan, they want to understand non-violence even if they don't know it yet. Will you be there to help them? How will they find you? More to come on this subject.
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