Vegans vs. Vegetarians

July 8, 3:36 PMTampa Vegan ExaminerElizabeth Holli Wood

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Can’t we all just get along? That may be the question being posed in recent activity within the vegetarian and vegan communities here on Examiner. But the current state points to an overwhelming “no.” Though these groups of individuals have some similar ideals, the ethical divide that separates these groups are enough to make both sides feel they have something to defend.

San Diego Vegetarian Examiner Michelle Vint posted an article entitled, “Vegetarian vs. vegan: the moral dilemma” which was met with much criticism by the vegan community. In it she writes, “I understand why vegans feel as strongly as they do and I applaud them for leading humane lifestyles. However, being vegetarian for about a third of my life now, I understand why others choose to still consume certain animal by-products.”

The comments on this article were clearly divided between vegans and vegetarians. One vegan named Stephen wrote, “Stop applauding mediocrity and selfishness…when LIVES are at stake. The decisions we make, like going vegan… directly save lives and promote a truly peaceful, sustainable and ethical existence for the animals, ourselves and the environment.”

While one vegetarian called Kabbage wrote, “Woah, Vegans are nuts (pun not intended, but still humorous). Just from the posts here, wow. Where have all the compassionate vegans gone?”

In Vint’s follow up article titled “Vegetarian vs. vegan: the follow-up” she laments the fact that her first article was met with such criticism and contempt from the vegan community. Vint responds by firing back at the vegan community. She writes, “It seems that many vegans are content with being (or maybe even desire to be) a marginalized, isolated portion of society. The practice of veganism appears to be a far cry from embracing those looking to make a similar change. Rather, the common sentiment is to immediately write off any non-vegans as uncompassionate and unworthy of respect.”

As a vegan surrounded by an overwhelming majority of meat-eaters and only one vegetarian, I simply do not see the need for hostility between the two groups. That being said, there is a clear reason for the nomenclature that marks these groups.

In Vint’s articles, she writes that many vegetarians follow this lifestyle for health and environmental reasons—perhaps even more often than those who go vegetarian for reasons based on compassion for animals. This is generally not the case for vegans, as animal rights is most often at the forefront of an individual’s decision to go vegan. Therefore, the distinction needs to be made between these groups. Because of this, these groups will never—and perhaps should never—truly unify. While they can work side by side on common causes (calmly and without hostility), the contrast between the two ideologies must shine through.

I am reminded of the recent uproar on Twitter and in the vegan blogging community about a group that calls themselves “Lactovegans.” This name is an absolute misnomer, as no one who calls him or herself a vegan would ever condone consuming dairy. However, this is just another example of the word “vegan” being bastardized in order to apply to something it should not. This leads to confusion surrounding the word “vegan” and its dietary, as well as its ethical distinctions. It is further evidence of the importance of distinction between vegans and vegetarians.

Many vegans, including myself, started out a decade ago as a vegetarian and made several dietary changes since then. Originally I cut out beef and pork, then all meat except fish, and then I gave up fish—all the while eating cheese. With each dietary change, I did more research into why I was compelled to live this way, and overwhelmingly the answer always came back to a respect for animals. More and more I realized that I could no longer justify eating cheese or fish, or wearing leather or suede. Veganism is and always will be the only option for me, as it is the only one that truly considers the needs of animals and expresses full compassion for them.

Because of my own sordid history of with a veg[fill in the blank]n lifestyle, I do not feel the need to attack vegetarians for their choice. I do, however, feel that the best efforts vegans can make are to encourage all people to take an honest look at the decision to go vegan. And this should be done in a nonviolent and approachable manner—you know, the whole leading by example bit.

Rather than attacking vegetarians for their choice, surround your friends and family in good vegan foods, educate them on the plight of animals, and encourage them to consider the impact their animal-based consumption has on our world.

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