By now it should be clear that animal liberation will not come about by the choices of conscientious consumers alone. If veganism is the price of admission to animal rights advocacy — stated or implied — we will alienate allies. What matters isn’t purity, but popular support. The movement’s biggest wins have been at the political level. Recently, activists entered Ridglan Farms and rescued hundreds of beagles from horrific conditions. Not only was the rescue a huge success, but it generated the best press the animal rights movement has had in years. And, many of the rescuers weren’t vegan.
CITRIT: “Vegan” is a tainted term. The moment it’s invoked, the atmosphere shifts. Depending on your luck, whoever you’re talking to turns surprised, dismissive, or even openly hostile. This psychological effect has a name: do-gooder derogation. We tend to resent those whose choices seem to pass judgment on their own, even when they’ve said nothing of the sort, and even when we know better. Conversations about animal rights need not involve veganism. Often, that word hurts the message more than it helps.
The movement is more than a diet. By now it should be clear that animal liberation will not come about by the choices of conscientious consumers alone. If veganism is the price of admission to animal rights advocacy —stated or implied — we will alienate allies… What matters isn’t purity, but popular support.
The movement’s biggest wins have been at the political level. Recently, activists entered Ridglan Farms and rescued hundreds of beagles from horrific conditions. Since then, Ridglan Farms has sold the beagles to rescue organizations and closed down. Not only was the rescue a huge success, but it generated the best press the animal rights movement has had in years. And, many of the rescuers weren’t vegan!
Or take the recent successful push to keep the Save Our Bacon Act, which would debilitate state-level animal welfare regulations, out of the Senate’s version of the Farm Bill. Among the SOB’s most influential opponents was the American Meat Producers Association, a lobbying group for independent farmers. Although their opposition was likely largely economically motivated, many farmers really do oppose the conditions in factory farms. Regardless, I don’t care. The animals need allies, whoever they are, and it would be nice for this movement to have an inclusive name.
Cultivated meat seems promising as well, but it needs marketing, funds, and research. Veganism’s current near-synonymity with animal advocacy is constraining the pool of potential talent. Until railing against the horrors of factory farming can be done by anyone without charges of hypocrisy, most will stay quiet. Our ideas are popular; we just need better branding. We need a word to describe everyone who fights for animal rights. I propose animalism. SOURCE
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