flying cats and vegangelicals
I thought you'd enjoy this "out-take" shot from the New York Times photo shoot, courtesy of food photographer extraordinare Steve Legato. He caught Bossa Nova in mid-flight as she soared from the loft to our island cabinet. I love how Pablo and Omniman are wearing the exact same expression.
Vegangelicals
Speaking of the article, I caught some flack from some vegans for using the term "vegangelical" [which, loosely translated, means a vegan who is annoyingly preachy]. Some thought it was an "insider" term and should only be used by vegans. That, to me, seemed politically correct and bordered on censorship. Others just felt it perpetuated yet another stereotype. Just for the record, here's why I used the term.
I asked an omnivore colleague of mine--a self-professed, proud "leftie"-- what came to mind when she heard the word "vegan." I was surprised when she said "Nazi"--but only for a second. It was hard to take, but then I thought to myself, "I have to hear this--to let it sink in."
Let's be real. Some vegans--a very small minority-- are vegangelicals. I'm sure their heart is in the right place, but that doesn't mean they don't annoy me--just like a pushy Jehovah's witness might annoy me. Just as an omnivore trying to convert me to "omnivorism" would annoy me. Like it or not, vegangelicals do fuel the stereotype of vegans--militant, fundamentalist, sprout-addicted zealots. And in my opinion, vegangelicals do more harm than good to the cause. They fuel the public's misperception of vegans.
When I was interviewed, I was keenly aware of the fact that I was "representing." I used the term "vegangelical," because I wanted to distance myself--and the veganism I know--from the stereotype of the militant, pushy vegan. I wanted to show--through my actions, words and normalcy--that anyone could be vegan. And enjoy it. And make it work.
After all, I was once a meat eater. And for years, I was the vegetarian who said I could "never give up cheese."
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Well-said!
That's a pretty spectacular picture.
I totally agree with your view on vegangelicals. I'm just vegetarian, and I still get a lot of flack from people who automatically assume that I'm judgmental -- not to mention the vegans who assure me I'm going to culinary hell for eating yogurt.
Vegangelicals hurt us all.
I was smiling when you wrote about cheese. I had thought when I first became vegan how would I give up cheese. I am Italian.. But I really only had cheese that was melted like in lasagna, pizza, etc. There are alternatives and I am fine.. What you wrote is well said. Education is the key to veganism and to truly understanding. I started my blog for exactly what you said, to show people you can be vegan and it's ok.
http://www.invitationfrom-gnewvegan.blogspot.com/
You represent vegans beautifully through your actions via food, animal kindness, and sensitivity to the environment.
Fundamentalist extremists are annoying in any group or subculture! And aint it funny how pushy people don't like it when we push back?
I say live and let live, don't try to convert or manipulate -- that's bad karma man!
You do an awesome job on your blog, please never change! And congrats on the feature on the NYTimes!
:o)
I take everybody one on one, unless they choose to hide amongst/behind a group/belief/cause.. You follow all that? I don't care what you believe in, as long as you believe in something! Respecting peoples' right to grow in whatever positive, creative direction they choose is sacred to me...
Huh. That's really odd that you caught flack for that from other vegans - people sure pick silly things to get in a fuss about, don't they?
Like you, I was once the vegetarian who could NEVER give up cheese. Ha!
Love the flying feline pic.
Amen sister! I don't feel so alone now. I'm a recent vegetarian (trying to be vegan) and after listening to a couple vegan podcasts (very Nazi-esque), I wasn't sure I wanted to be called a vegan. You've made me realize vegans aren't all preachy militants! Thanks!
Thanks for this great post. I think in all facets of life there are extremists and as you mentioned, although they are likely well intended, it tends to be their extremism that gets the focus unfortunately. That then becomes the image that people have. It's about education and I think you did a great job expressing the normalcy of being vegan.
First of all, I LOVE that photo. I'm sitting here giggling at it, and love how all 4 of you are in it. It's just a classic photo.
Second of all, I have that same green shirt as you! It's a gorgeous color, esp. with your blond hair.
Third, I actually got a kick out of your term "vegangelical" -I'd never heard it before, but it fits well. If Anthony Bourdain met you and ate your food, he wouldn't be so quick to call us Hezbollah. He, and many other people, have clearly met the kinds of vegans who make other defensive and uncomfortable. The best kind of activism is just living well, not holding yourself or others to some lofty standard. Also, I hate religion and particularly evangelical religion- I try to always be mindful that I don't use any tactics that a right-wing religious person would. I won't close myself off from the world, I won't limit my experiences, I won't alienate people, that won't help me, that won't help veganism.
Hmmmm... I'm going on and on. Maybe I should just blog a "vegan manifesto" or something like that!
Cool photo!!
I for one and glad you used that term and tried to show that you an omniman are normal folks, this is much more appealing to the mainstream, which is where we want veganism to take hold!!
great picture! and well said!!!
I like the term. I think it's amusing. If we don't have a sense of humor about ourselves, life's pretty dull, isn't it?
Hello,
I just happened upon your blog the other day and I LOVE IT! My boyfriend and I are both vegans and we are about to start our own blog about our lifestyle of eating and exercise. I already have my own blog entirely devoted to other things, but you have inspired me (us) to create on together about our journey! Please let me know if it would be okay for us to list your blog as one of our favorites!
That's an awesome pic..
I find it ridiculous that someone would give you flack about that word.. I guess someone will always be offended by something.
Despite some editing on the paper's behalf and completely out of your hands, I think you did a GREAT job of promoting veganism as totally doable in the NYT article. Don't let the words of a few get you down or on the defensive, seriously.
Your blog has turned me and I imagine plenty of others on to veg food, travel and animal awareness. Please keep up the good work!
Great post (and great picture!!)
I do not call myself vegan simply because of those vegangelicals. They really, REALLY get on my nerves and I commend you for calling them out and telling everyone that you're not one of them. I'm not, either. They're not going to get anyone interested in veganism - but YOU are! Well done.
I agree with you 100%. I know a few vegangelicals and they are definetely given veganism a bad name. We shouldn't be judging others eating so militanly, if we don't want our own ways of eating critized. It's seems pretty hypocritical to me...
Bossa Nova is a daredevil!! :)
awesome photo! amazing cat flys without a cape!
I agree with you Urban - every word, and think more people may investigate this diet choice because of your positive non-pressured presence. I'm proud to "know" you! :)
I also don't blame vegangelicals and think they have an important role. There are important reasons to be veg, ones that affect all of us here on Earth. Most people do not seek out the answers to why one would choose to eliminate animal products and if it weren't for people sharing the "gospel" they might not even consider the option. There are big money campaigns for dairy & meat from big money corporations. ("Got Milk?") Seems like a little vegangelical activism to at least even out the score might not be so bad?! We're all on the same side afterall. Just another (humble) opinion...
Great flying meowza!!! What a great shot.
Must confess . . . I am one of those vegetarians who can't fathom giving up cheese (or yogurt.) (Yet?) Baby steps, right? Lately, I'm working on vegan baking. Maybe next I'll have to pick up a copy of the Ultimate Uncheese Cookbook?
Well said.
Love it!
i love the in action jump. that is completely amazing and always rare to get like that with your normal reaction to it. I love it
I hear you on the vegangelical thing...
And that's an amazing picture! I love cats.
After all, I was once a meat eater. And for years, I was the vegetarian who said I could "never give up cheese."
Indeed, indeed!
love the picture.
I totally agree with your view !!
Fwiw, to this reader, your intentions were clear and representation fabulous in the original article. I had no problem pickin' up what you were puttin' down :)
I love the picture of your flying cat!
I totally agree with you!
I've been veg since I was 8 (weird kid) and vegan since I was 16. I am now 22, and the people who know me know me as an extremely open-minded vegan. Funny, since I just think I'm normal.
Through my years of dealing with arguments from adults, however, I have noticed something that people always overlook. Meat eaters are always quick to preach, judge, argue, and attempt to embarrass me without invitation-- something I would never do! Omnivores love to call vegans/vegetarians preachy, but most of them are guilty of the same thing.
Finally, at the end of this long post, I wanted to share that I found it disturbing how much peoples eating habits ruled their companionship. Like you, my partner is an omnivore, and we love cooking together. He doesn't blame me for restrictions to his diet-- what do I care if he puts cheese or chicken in his pasta-- and takes my restrictions as a culinary challenge! I wish everyone could see the fun in differences like that.
Best wishes.. sorry for the long comment.
Sad but true, the way stereotypes get started in the first place is that there is a grain of truth to them. Of course there are "vegangelicals" out there. But just like any other stereotype, I think society needs to be more willing to shed this negative view of vegans. I have to admit, I couldn't read the entire NY Times article. But what I did read was a little disturbing to me (not the bit you said)--a simplistic view of vegans as picky, fussy, and unable to get along with omnivores.
Like you, I am in a committed relationship with an omnivore. I think by saying, "I will only date/marry a vegan" there is tremendous limitation. My mate doesn't eat meat around me, has promised that when we move in together he will not bring meat into the house, and that's all I need. Like you said, we both respect each other and I, in no way, love my man any less because he eats meat.
And back to the media, sometimes I think I would rather there be no publicity in mainstream media for veganism rather than all this negative "vegans are weak, picky, whiny people" stuff, which just further perpetuates stereotypes.
I know that's an earfull, but I had to get it off my chest. :)
I agree that "vegangelicals" exist and that they are annoying and make us all look bad. I don't agree that they are anything like Nazis, though, and every vegetarian or vegan who says such a thing makes us look a hell of a lot worse than any vegangelical. I haven't heard any vegan say they'd like to exterminate omnivores.
Thank you so much for saying that with such good words. It's true, there are unfortunately vegans who are rude to vegetarians and omnis and look down on their eating habits. That doesn't help anyone in the long run. There are so few veg'ns who have been so from birth, that I think a lot of us need to remember that we all have to start somewhere.
Great article in the Times! Yay!
I agree--it's a great term. And it's the reason I'm not part of any online vegan (non cooking type) forums. They attract judgmental vegans like crazy.
that is a GREAT shot!
I love the picture.
And I really don't care who uses the term 'vegangelical' or how.
But I do take offense to the idea that veganism is 'just a personal choice' as though it doesn't have significant social and ethical consequences. I take offense to the notion that my system of ethics is deemed "fundamentalist extremist" by some. I take offense to the idea that most vegans would rather separate themselves from so-called preachy, annoying vegans than confront the reality that the way we treat animals in our society is evil and wrong.
Something is seriously wrong with our ethics when we value absence of self-righteousness more than actual ethical behavior. Why must wee pander to the immoral whims of meat-eaters? So they won't call us nazis? So they won't be offended? So they'll still like us? Really? Why?
I'm glad you responded to that. I had read somewhere in the blogosphere someone griping about your use of the word vegangelicals (i loved it, btw, and totally understood why you would use it) and i was so close to commenting on their blog...but i didn't. I sat there thinking, 'have they even read much of Urban Vegan's blog? do they care about how much she contributes to veganism?'
as yet another vegan who shares her life with an omnivore and who is about to have her first child, I so wish more vegans would back off a bit, would be more tolerant, would be more comfortable with leading by example and not resorting to bullying, would understand that what works for them does not always work for everyone else and to crucify others for their choices is just so very...well....UNvegan.
looooove the flying bossa nova. great shot, great post!
Praise be my dear! You are our rock-star vegan ambassador! And you are absolutely right in showing the world how it easy veganism can be...
Great post and I totally agree with you.
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