At Mercy For Animals, we’re very thankful for all the
engagement we get from followers on our social media. And our followers are an
eclectic bunch: vegans, omnivores, and everyone in between.
While positive feedback and conversation on social media is
essential to raising awareness and bringing about change, there’s a trend we’d
like to address that we feel is very unfortunate: vegans being rude or
downright mean to vegetarians.
First of all, really? I mean, really? We don’t condone being
nasty to anyone, but why on earth would you lash out at people who are taking meaningful
steps to drastically reduce their support of factory farms?
Currently 97 percent of Americans still eat meat. Yeah, you read
that right. That means that vegans and vegetarians are a very small (but thankfully
steadily growing) segment of the population. Instead of alienating one another
we should be supportive, kind, and helpful.
Yes, of course animal abuse at the
hands of the egg and dairy industries is sickening. Yes, of
course we should raise awareness about it for people who may not know. But
attacking those who are most likely already open to that information is just
not a good strategy. Instead of telling people they’re horrible for not being
vegan yet, how about giving them the benefit of the doubt?
And one more thing: We should always remember who we were
before we went vegan. Most of us grew up eating meat. For a majority of us,
going vegan was a gradual process. Today’s Meatless Monday enthusiast could
very well be tomorrow’s vegan activist. Give people time to make the transition
and figure it out for themselves.
OK, we’ve said our piece. :)
Whether you’re a meat reducer, vegetarian, or vegan, keep it
up. Remember each of us can take a stand for animals every time we sit down to
eat.
For vegan inspiration and tips, visit ChooseVeg.com. For a ton of free vegan
recipes, check us out on Pinterest!