Another threat from within - acrimony within the vegetarian community - Editorial

Vegetarian Times, Feb, 1995 by Toni Apgar

I'VE NEVER CARED FOR FIGHTING. It makes me nervous, and I'm always mindful that there is a winner and a loser. On the other hand, I relish honest and open debate. In such an atmosphere, participants and listeners alike are challenged to question their own and others' thinking and motivations. Intellectually, at least, everybody wins.

Most vegetarians are used to being at the center of debate, whether it is with a doubtful parent asking how you hope to get enough protein, or with a colleague poking good-natured fun at your lunch. But there are some debates that have turned into fights, and they are threatening the credibility of vegetarians, most of whom welcome questions about their vegetarianism.

A noticeable skirmish is between those who believe strongly in animal rights--that no animals should be killed for the benefit of humans--and those who support animal welfare--that until animals are no longer killed for research, food or fur, they should be treated humanely.

The basis for both positions, I hope, is compassion for other living creatures. Yet some of that compassion seems to be lacking among those who throw epithets at those whose opinion is different from their own. In "The Threat from Within" (p. 62), writer Mark Harris examines the chasm forming between those who champion animal rights and animal welfare, and how the decibel level of their fights, while it certainly grabs headlines, is calling into question where the publicity stunts end and the real caring begins.

There is often a similar debate between vegans, who eat no animal products, and ovo-lacto vegetarians, who may at times consume dairy products and eggs. We are in danger of this debate becoming a public fight. This month we give one of our well-known "sticks" to a food industry writer (p. 102) who slams the infighting between vegans and vegetarians and wrongly assumes neither group is really interested in larger issues, just in its own egotistical stance. While the charge is absurd, we need to think hard about how the rest of the world views vegetarians and vegetarianism. I saw a televised panel of vegetarians, vegans and non-vegetarians that had the vegans shouting at the vegetarians; frankly, both looked like raving lunatics.

CARROT & STICK

A STICK to Food Industry News for publishing the comments of Rob DeNormandie, their columnist. Among other wacky assertions, DeNormandie accuses all vegetarians and vegans of being "warring factions" concerned only about their own egos. "Get a life," he says. "Don't you all have jobs or families or hobbies? Don't eat anything for a week or so and see how your sanctimonious stand feels on an empty stomach." But we have so many good things to eat, Rob--healthfully, peacefully and compassionately.

A CARROT to designer Todd Oldham for using his prominence as fashion's hot new talent to showcase his antifur sentiments. Along with designing stylish fake fur fashions and speaking out at animal welfare events, Oldham has chaired the Texas SPCA's gala "Fur Ball," and helped raise funds for Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) and Pet Owners with Aids Resource Service (POWARS), which care for pets whose owners have AIDS. When asked if fake fur was merely the latest fad, Oldham replied, "I can't imagine that compassion could ever be deemed trendy."

It was obvious that the studio audience (which had been listening with interest to the issues) turned vocally anti-veg when the debate deteriorated into a shouting match. That image will stand out in others' minds long after the question of what we had for lunch is answered.

As a group, we are sometimes portrayed as bickering hypocrites, neither tolerant nor compassionate. We have to remember to listen to what others are saying rather than condemn them for saying it.