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4 Responses so far.

1. Ditte Rømer says:

   September 7, 2011 at 12:27 pm

   Thank you for making me feel a little less isolated.

   As a matter of fact, I’m currently writing on a similar piece for my blog-in-the-works (please give it a look, but come back in a month or so and see the finished deal).

   The things you describe pretty much cover what I try to employ. Whenever animals and their rights/welfare can be incorporated into the conversation, I do. Without banging people in the head with it of course. Still, someone has to speak up and draw attention to animal exploitation. Honey, silk, wool and dairy in particular are grey areas. And it’s tricky. My toddler daughter receives home knitted and 2nd hand wool clothing from loving family members quite often.

   Engaging in online and RL dialogue and discussion is also just as important as dazzling people with vegan food.

   Still, the issue of causing tension in the larger family as the only vegan is a real problem for many, including me. I know some in my family don’t completely understand it – while a couple openly disrespect my lifestyle. But the worst is actually the lack of (friendly) confrontation. I’m not blind to the fact, that humans have a elaborate history of exploiting animals to the extent that it has become the norm and that that makes my vegan lifestyle a minority. I don’t expect them to know everything I know about animals, veganism etc., but from my family I do expect respect and an effort to comprehend where I’m coming from. Yes, I guess that makes me stubborn and idealistic to some, but just as I love my family and time after time sit down with them to a table loaded with what in my eyes is essentially the sad remains of once living breathing individuals, they too should at least try my food or bluntly ask me “why?” It’s not okay to assume to know about a person’s opinions etc. and then belittle them by e.g. avoiding dealing with them because of it. Vegans have a right to be respected, especially from the family.

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   • veganconsultant says:

     September 7, 2011 at 6:04 pm

     Hello! I’m SO happy to hear your feelings too. I think it will take TIME for our families to open their mind to a totally different way of life. We have to be the leaders and it sounds like you are doing exactly that!! I admire your passion and happy to have connected ; )

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   • JackieO says:

     September 9, 2011 at 11:23 pm

     Ditte – you said everything I am feeling, especially about people not wanting to ask anything about being vegan. My family is pretty much accepting of my new lifestyle – there’s only my husband and daughter, but she’s out on her own – the husband I think thought it was just a ‘hormone phase’ for me (I’m going thru perimenopause) and that I’d be back to prime rib and chicken cutlets. I can say that is NOT going to happen – nor will I use honey or dairy products. When he realized it wasn’t temporary for me, he started to pick at me “you’re not the same person you were a year ago” (he complained then too but for different reasons) and “we have nothing in common, and people who live together should eat the same food” – like he’ll shame me into eating meat.

     I think that I am growing as a person, despite the crushing box he tries to keep me in. Yoga was the first learning experience, but that brought me to other things; ahimsa (non violence) and metta (lovingkindness). A visit to a farm animal sanctuary in upstate NY made me cry, then made me angry – how can people protest abortion and then go out for a burger and ice cream? Sick, sad world. Learning about and becoming (‘going’) vegan Oct 15 2010 has made me more mindful of other things in life, as well. I know it has made me a much healthier person, but I also feel sane, which I was on pretty shaky ground w/dumb-ass menopause depression days.

     I got off point; people won’t ask about vegan food or life b/c they don’t want to have to question their own ethics – it’s uncomfortable; they don’t want to be inconvenienced – so easy to go the McCruelty drive-thru. I say: I wonder how uncomfortable the chicken was in the battery cage all her short life, getting pecked and scratched by others getting to the food trough in an ammonia-soaked room; I wonder if the mother cow felt inconvenienced when her newborn calf was taken away for veal and her milk pumped.

     I can’t keep writing, I’m already crying.

     You’re not alone, Ditte. I am SO here. ~Jackie O

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     • veganconsultant says:

       September 10, 2011 at 6:31 pm

       Jackie,

       Your story is so moving!! I REALLY admire how you are sticking to our mindful lifestyle no matter what… you are a hero to animals, your health and our planet. Thank you! Please keep in touch and we’ll support eachother ; )

       Kelly xo

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