http://loveallbeings.org/blog/speaking-your-truth/ Living Opposed to Violence and Exploitation Thu, 30 Jun 2011 21:25:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://loveallbeings.org/blog/speaking-your-truth/comment-page-1/#comment-20 bshoot Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:42:29 +0000 http://loveallbeings.org/?p=109#comment-20 I often have to figure out how much I'm going to say to people who ask why I'm vegetarian/vegan. I think being honest is the best approach, and I understand my role as an absent referrant for the animals at the table and those on farms and elsewhere. Honestly explaining that I think we all (humans and animals) deserve good lives with fresh air, healthy food, and room to walk around with our friends is the simple answer, but it quickly shifts into a complex discussion of what it means to advocate for animals, how we exercise privilege, and in my case, the importance of farm sanctuaries, which I can speak about at length. Often, people are also very uncomfortable with my honest answers, and no matter how I phrase it, as kindly and gently as possible, there is no escaping our human cruelty. For instance, I might explain that I don't believe a chicken deserves to die with a severed beak and broken wings, which is obvious, honest, and true, but it makes people go into shock sometimes. It's like they really didn't consider what they were asking me or that they'd agree. I don't want to make them regret asking, but I'm starting to realize that really, it was more a statement of "I don't understand your outlier behavior" and less an actual question of, "Why are you doing this?" I often have to figure out how much I’m going to say to people who ask why I’m vegetarian/vegan. I think being honest is the best approach, and I understand my role as an absent referrant for the animals at the table and those on farms and elsewhere. Honestly explaining that I think we all (humans and animals) deserve good lives with fresh air, healthy food, and room to walk around with our friends is the simple answer, but it quickly shifts into a complex discussion of what it means to advocate for animals, how we exercise privilege, and in my case, the importance of farm sanctuaries, which I can speak about at length. Often, people are also very uncomfortable with my honest answers, and no matter how I phrase it, as kindly and gently as possible, there is no escaping our human cruelty. For instance, I might explain that I don’t believe a chicken deserves to die with a severed beak and broken wings, which is obvious, honest, and true, but it makes people go into shock sometimes. It’s like they really didn’t consider what they were asking me or that they’d agree. I don’t want to make them regret asking, but I’m starting to realize that really, it was more a statement of “I don’t understand your outlier behavior” and less an actual question of, “Why are you doing this?”

]]> http://loveallbeings.org/blog/speaking-your-truth/comment-page-1/#comment-16 samesofam Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:08:02 +0000 http://loveallbeings.org/?p=109#comment-16 this relates really well to that discussion we had (way back when) at the last potluck. i think it is important to be educated enough to answer most questions about veganism and to know most of the reasons why people make this choice - just in case. i want to be able to reach people and respond to their concerns and questions no matter where their priorities lie. but i agree that being honest with yourself and staying true to your beliefs is not only the most effective way to touch people's hearts but also best for the relationship between the advocate and the audience as well as for your own peace of mind, health, and happiness. sarah this relates really well to that discussion we had (way back when) at the last potluck. i think it is important to be educated enough to answer most questions about veganism and to know most of the reasons why people make this choice – just in case. i want to be able to reach people and respond to their concerns and questions no matter where their priorities lie.
but i agree that being honest with yourself and staying true to your beliefs is not only the most effective way to touch people’s hearts but also best for the relationship between the advocate and the audience as well as for your own peace of mind, health, and happiness.
sarah

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