Veganism is a curious philosophy, and vegans a curious bunch. Curious because speaking to one vegan about their choice in dietary habits can inspire you and make you seriously consider making the switch yourself, while a conversation with another can make you want to distance yourself immediately and delete them from your Facebook friends list with extreme prejudice.
Luckily for me I met a friend a few years ago who really helped elucidate my understanding about the subject veganism. Originally I thought all vegans were extremist hippies who would just as soon burn my house down or shove me down a flight of stairs if it would save a calf. I was, of course, naive and mistaken. With the opportunity to seriously consider veganism I did my research and find out more about it.
In the end I found that veganism wasn’t for me for a number of reasons. The arguments below are a few of the main ones that made me decide not to be one. (Hold your horses hardcore vegans! Go read my other article 5 Reasons To Be A Vegan before you lynch me.)
Vegan Hypocrisy
The harsh conditions, cruelty even, inflicted on animals for the purpose of sustaining the West’s gluttonous lifestyle is overwhelming and not easy to watch. Especially when put to dramatic music as vegan Youtube videos are wont to do. Many – if not most – of these animals are in situations I wouldn’t thrust upon my worst enemy, much less a huggable lamb or adorable chickadee. It’s a painful truth to be aware of.
However the world is filled with such truths. For example, 50% of the world’s population live in cities, and cities produce an extraordinary amount of pollution of all kinds that is harmful to the planet. Yet vegans will still live in them, driving their cars, riding buses, buying plastic products, purchasing houses and the like. Even the taxes that are paid go to the government finding its way to animal farms and abattoirs through agricultural subsidies. If a vegan wants to truly diminish suffering then there’s a lot more they can do then simply eating tofu burgers.
There’s also the odd and seemingly contradictory behaviour of adamant vegans, such as vegan pet owners who seem to somehow reconcile animal domestication with their beliefs. Or vegan retail workers who sell clothing made by sweatshops. Or vegans who wear blood diamonds mined in African war zones. Or vegan car owners who use gas made from oil mined destructively from the Earth. I have nothing at all against vegan hypocrisy, but it’s there.
“Those aren’t true vegans!” says the vegan purist. So then there’s a vegan range? If yes, then call me a centrist, just right of vegetarianism. If not, then only the vegan extremist has it right.
Vegan Activism is a Proximate Answer
Whether a vegan is against cruelty to animals or is for the promotion of healthy living (or both) and wants to influence others to the same, vegan activism is only a proximate answer. You don’t solve a problem by being against it or avoiding it, you solve it by providing alternatives. Focusing on the problem increases the divide between the enthusiasts and the ignorant, not to mention promotes an atmosphere of conflict and animosity.
Alright, not all the time. But still a lot. Anyone who who attempts a cursory perusal of the information promoting veganism is likely to be smacked in the face with starving animals and extremely poignant guilt trips. It most certainly works, but it’s also a short-sighted approach to change. One that can be undone with a properly seared ribeye and some fresh Hollandaise sauce.
The real way to global change has always been to “be the change you want to see in the world.” Living the vegan life with an eye on personal decisions, being a living example of a better life, is the ultimate way of influencing others. At least in the long-term. Life experience is the only true teacher and if the goal of veganism is to live happily, healthily and harmoniously then I don’t see how any other path can be intelligently chosen.
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