Vegan "Activism"

I am writing this in response to a poorly written, disappointingly insubstantial, article written by Steven Stern and posted on CNN.com. It read to me like someone looking for a filler article who wrote down some pessimistic thoughts about vegetarians and backed them up with a quick google search of "Vegan and Controversy."

While it is clear Mr. Stern has probably never in his life considered a vegetarian diet, what really bothered me was not his indicated standpoint against vegan activism, but rather the vagueness of his viewpoint and the dismissive way in which he treated his own article, and thus, vegan activists in general.

The article is entitled "Vegetarian Activists Try In-Your-Face tactics". Opening with a rather snarky comment, Stern's intent is clear :

Not content to sit quietly at home eating their tofu cutlets, more and more vegetarians, it seems, are taking action, trying to get the carnivorous masses to change their ways.

The article then hastily outlines some of those tactics. From some anonymous rogue pie throwers at a lecture given by Lierre Keith (trust me, when I finish her book, you will get a heavy dose of my thoughts on her), to PETA's attempt to get a racy ad to air on the Superbowl a year ago.

Stern points out the vegetarian activists have learned that "sex sells" and seams to suggests that media attention is the central goal of a vegetarian activist. He states:

Still, recipes only go so far. And, more to the point, they don't get as much media attention. For many vegan and vegetarian activists, getting coverage is an art.

While I felt the article had a dismissive, negative spin to it, I think the topic of vegan representation Stern hastily brings up is, when give real weight and consideration, an interesting one. I think anyone who is a vegetarian or a vegan is inherently an activist in the sense that we "lead by example." But the extent of our dedication to activism in the sense of "conversion" varies wildly.

I spend a lot of time consciously aware of the stereotype put upon me for being a vegan. A lot of people assume vegan is synonymous with adjectives like "extreme" or "crazy liberal" or "irrational" and even the less harmful but still generalizing "hippie" and "tree-hugger." Vegans are thought by many to be difficult, rigid, judgmental, and (usually) wrong. I've never found a fictional character in movies, television, or books who was a vegan and didn't inhabit these traits. Making fun of a vegan and their beliefs is fair game, especially now that it is so hard to make fun of other groups these days without an instant backlash.

"Not content to sit at home eating their fried chicken, more and more african americans, it seems, are taking action, trying to get the white masses to change their ways."

Or how about -

"Not content to sit at home eating their matzoh ball soup, more and more jews, it seems, are taking action, trying to get the Goy masses to change their ways."

And lastly -

"Not content to sit at home listening to Lady Gaga, more and more gays, it seems, are taking action, trying to get the straight masses to change their ways."

To see a CNN article so callously play into the vegan stereotype, by stringing together a series of unrelated minor events by various groups and individuals, is hurtful. To forsake serious examination of why some activists do take the in-your-face-approach is disappointing.

But all stereotypes exist for a reason. There are people who take extreme approaches when desperate for attention, this is true for any side of any debate. I do agree that PETA often takes advantage of this. I do think that dumping a ton of manure in front of Gordon Ramsay's restaurant is antagonistic and the equivalent of hurling a bowl of vinegar at your flies. While I understand the anger that feeds those actions, I think that it is important to keep such anger in check, especially if your goal is to get people to listen.

However, I personally do not have a problem with harmless publicity stunts. Sexy ladies clad in only lettuce handing out veggie hot dogs? Fine by me. An army of zombies protesting outside a KFC - sounds like fun. People have a right to speak their mind and, with so many people doing so these days, creativity definitely earns one a few points.

So what really got me so hot and bothered about this silly little article?

I fight really hard to get people to take my beliefs about food seriously. I enjoy a good discussion, especially with someone who does not share my opinions, as long as we are both willing to listen and engage in the debate. That is why I am reading Keith's book, and why I am loving doing so.

I became a vegan because I wasn't afraid to challenge my way of thinking. All I ask of others is to take a similar responsibility for their own beliefs and subsequent actions. And I want to never lose my own fearlessness, because I would never want to loose that freedom of thought.

I think the way we raise and grow food in this country is atrocious. I think we are killing the environment, we are killing each other, and we are killing our fellow creatures. I want more people to care, and I want to engage more people in the controversy over food. I want to end factory farms. I want revolutionize the food industry so that people are not eating themselves into early graves. I want to learn how to grow food sustainably. I want to help feed and nourish the hungry.

So no, Mr. Stern, I am not content to sit quietly at home eating my tofu cutlets.