I saw a link to this news item from the Vegetarian Society on Twitter today and it really made me
angry. It illustrates why I sometimes hate being labelled ‘a
vegetarian’ and why I could never be a member of the Veg Soc. I just can’t
stand their preaching and I really don’t want to be
associated with it. Is it any wonder that omnivores complain about veggies always being so 'holier than thou' about not eating meat?
Take this simplistic,
naïve statement from the Veg Soc in the piece above, for example “The production of foie gras is
unnecessary”. On the contrary, foie gras is entirely necessary for someone who
wants to eat it. In these days of food being transported around the world, with
strawberries and asparagus available in December, ‘necessity’ is beside the point –
it’s about freedom and personal choice. Right now… do I ‘need’ a piece of
coffee and walnut cake? No, of course not, but I’d damn well like some! Others
may feel the same about foie gras.
I am obviously not in favour of animal cruelty but I’m also not
afraid to face the unpalatable fact of life that animals are still seen as less
important and more expendable than humans…this isn't going to change, ’twas ever thus. Animal cruelty will
never be eradicated as long as there are living humans on this planet. While
there is money to be made from selling an animal related item there will be
people willing to buy said item.
I can’t stop every instance of animal exploitation – I
can only do what is right for me; but what I won't do is preach to others or tell them how to
behave. If someone wants to eat a steak or foie gras or sea bass…go ahead, I hope
you enjoy it. Just don’t ask me to join in.
I think at its core its about respecting that others are entitled to make their own choices, something you understand but the preachier hardcore at the Vegetarian Society do not.
ReplyDeleteOf course, there's an element of societal agreement involved -- we have laws against what we have communally agreed are crimes, so not everything everyone wants to do (or eat) is OK.
And it's also fair to say that societal attitudes do change, and that much of that change is brought about by those who create awareness of issues. Today, most in the UK would not consider wearing the fur of wild animals, especially those facing extinction, and yet it was normal even as recently as the 70s.
I am always open to having an adult discussion with those who wish to challenge my opinions and perceptions, but the problem comes when some try to evangelise - as you say, preaching seldom goes down well.