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Peer Groups and Representations
Mar. 11th, 2004 10:38 amI don't proselytize about my veganism. I occasionally joke and jab with friends about it, but not in a serious way unless someone asks me point blank why I am vegan. I don't hold myself out as a moral or ethical exemplar. To do so, either to preach or to hold myself above others, would be anathema to me. I am me, this choice is the right one for me, and it not necessarily the right one for others.
I do not always agree with the means and methods of the spokespersons of the vegan movement in all of its forms, just as most people do not always agree with the means and methods of, say, the political party to which they belong. Nonetheless, as the sole vegan among most of my peer groups, it is difficult not to feel like I am being personally attacked when someone decides to question the efficacy of the vegan diet or ethical outlook, even when I might otherwise agree with the speaker. I know, intellectually, that this is mostly likely not the intent of the speaker, but emotional reactions have little to do with intellect.
I try to stay out of such debates, even where I may have information to refute certain positions the speaker takes, because to get drawn into such a debate would only end up irritating me further. Much like debates about religion (and I do not deny the cult-like qualities of much of the vegan movement or its detractors), neither side is likely to be convinced of the rightness or wrongness of a particular position; the arguments only end up bolstering the faithful or angering the opposition.
It is exceedingly frustrating, though, to sit and listen and not react. I will still attempt to stay out of these debates, but my temper is wearing thin.
I do not always agree with the means and methods of the spokespersons of the vegan movement in all of its forms, just as most people do not always agree with the means and methods of, say, the political party to which they belong. Nonetheless, as the sole vegan among most of my peer groups, it is difficult not to feel like I am being personally attacked when someone decides to question the efficacy of the vegan diet or ethical outlook, even when I might otherwise agree with the speaker. I know, intellectually, that this is mostly likely not the intent of the speaker, but emotional reactions have little to do with intellect.
I try to stay out of such debates, even where I may have information to refute certain positions the speaker takes, because to get drawn into such a debate would only end up irritating me further. Much like debates about religion (and I do not deny the cult-like qualities of much of the vegan movement or its detractors), neither side is likely to be convinced of the rightness or wrongness of a particular position; the arguments only end up bolstering the faithful or angering the opposition.
It is exceedingly frustrating, though, to sit and listen and not react. I will still attempt to stay out of these debates, but my temper is wearing thin.
