#ethicalvegan

I felt rather frustrated today. The topic of veganism came up before my yoga class and I felt like I was talking to a wall, like people half-listened while thinking about what they were going to say back.

I feel like this very often, it’s as if there was a barrier, a canyon between vegans and non vegans. Hell, there are even divisions between vegan activists, other vegan activists and non-activist vegans. It’s very difficult to have an actual conversation where you can fully express yourself without worrying about offending someone else.

Things took an unexpected turn today, though. The person I mostly discussed veganism with at yoga reached out later and said that although they joke a lot, they still respect my views. This led to a rather insightful and respectful discussion on veganism. Of course, neither of us changed their mind, but it was nice to be able to talk about it.

Every time I have this conversation with a non-vegan I feel I am bastardizing my own views, because I always end up choosing between being firm but coming off as aggressive and preachy, or giving up at trying to convince the other person and just nodding in ‘respectful’ disagreement.

I don’t think hating other humans is the path that will lead us to a more fair world. But I also die inside every time I think that my conformity is allowing millions and millions of animals to die each single day.

Is there such a thing as a middle way? If I stand up for what I believe in, I’ll be labeled as aggressive and judgmental, and people will leave me behind. If I don’t stand up for what I believe in, I betray myself and every single animal dying needlessly.