Animal Rights Idol

Do Vegans Compete for Sainthood?

I win. You lose.

I have always found the animal rights community to be an extremely caring group of people where everyone is treated as equals. Sure, there are conflicts surrounding tactics, but even the activists who personally dislike one another can still work together for the movement. Just as we believe that animals can and should be treated equally to humans (though in some cases, as required, differently), the animal rights community has been a place where all hierarchies are put aside as we work to manifest a non-violent world.

Until the other day. I’m new to this whole Facebook thing, so I’m not sure about proper etiquette for ‘friend’ing people (although I have a personal policy to never unfriend anyone (unless they are trying to kill me, or sue me, or equivalent). And so carefully treading, I added Colleen Patrick Goudreau with a message passing on my previously mentioned compliment about her plenary speech. My basis for adding Colleen was that she has almost 5000 friends, and was also friends with a few of my friends. Clearly a popular lady sure to have some interesting discussions on her wall.

I received an almost immediate reply from a woman managing her account who called herself Colleen’s “Fan Manager”, saying something along the lines of: thanks for the compliment but what makes you think Colleen has time to receive it? This is a PERSONAL account. If you want to praise her, go to the fan page. She also mentioned that Colleen has been trying to cut down on her friends (!?) and turn them into fans, so any further friends were out of the question. Seriously? I was having images of the Queen of Narnia turning her subjects into statues.

The first thing that came to mind was: hmm, a compliment does not a fan make. I’m nobody’s fan; it’s not my style. So I replied that I prefer to communicate with people as equals.

Now. I have nothing against Colleen – quite the opposite. I could never bring myself to hate any animal rights activist. But this experience caused me to question: is animal rights a popularity contest? Is it ever okay to use our success in the movement as a way to promote ourselves for personal gain? Before I continue, I’d like to state (again) that this is not a personal rant against Colleen. That would be ridiculous; I mean how awesome is it that she reaches so many people? It is a post meant to explore our motivations (and possible distractions) as individuals within the animal rights movement.

So – is an animal rights activist higher status because she’s published and on TV? Or do the animal rights activists in masks setting free caged animals have just as much of an impact on the movement? I believe that it is extremely important to maintain a level of equality within the movement or we risk becoming ourselves exactly what we are trying save the animals from being: products. 

If we are writing books, and speaking publicly, and creating brands for ourselves with any intention in mind other than helping the animals, then aren’t we just emulating the icky media-saturated world that already exists where people follow blindly the lead of those who pretend to know and be more?

This is exactly why I do not only advocate for change in animal rights, but for the end of all oppressive systems (ie. Veganarchy).

I’ve had the chance to meet Will Potter and Nathan Runkle, other busy, successful “famous” activists. They didn’t emit the same “untouchable” vibe, and that affirmed for me my lifelong place in this movement. Joanne Chang, Glenn Gaetz, and Brian Vincent are some of Vancouver’s most known animal rights activists and are all media figures… and yet they are totally accessible. approachable. “touchable” (hey now, not in that way). But my experience with Colleen’s “fan manager”? (Again, really?) sort of reminded me of elementary school. “Oh, sorry, I already told Steph, Lexy, and Megan they could eat lunch with me… there’s not really enough room for any more people, ie. you.” (Hey – we all have to learn that we’re not followers somehow).

Many vegans hold themselves above “mainstream” people as being more intelligent and more evolved (don’t lie). And this holier than thou attitude can also translate amongst our own community. Let’s not measure our successes. Let’s not develop complexes about who we think we are. Let’s remember that in order to treat the animals as equals, we must always treat each other as equals, too.

In a movement where the process often depends on some who lead and others who follow, let’s not label those who follow as fans, or even as followers. Our ideas would mean nothing if others did not gather to listen to them.

Animal Rights National Conference 2011

I Love Direct Action

I’ve been wanting to attend AR2011 for 2 years, so I cashed in my AirMiles and went for the weekend (United Airlines is a suckfest with planes from the 70s still with the ashtrays that will probably kill you and your family in a horrible plane crash if you fly with them, just saying). I was immediately greeted by friendly (albeit drunk) vegans in the lobby, and there was that familiar sensation from Let Live that everyone had a secret we all shared: we are all vegan(ish) and we are all on a path we feel inwardly very proud of but can’t always express in the animal-consuming world.

Shirts read: “Ask Me Why I’m Vegan”, Or, “Don’t Ask Me Why I’m Vegan, Ask Yourself Why You Aren’t.” Or “Compassion is Not Terrorism”

The plenary began on Saturday morning with a strong speech by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau of Compassionate Cooks. She expressed an importance of not using the terms ‘fake meat’ or even ‘meat alternatives’ for things like Tofurkey and seitan, etc. because vegans don’t see them as alternatives – we see them as the only ideal way to eat – plant based. She referred to items like dairy and eggs as ‘animal secretions’ (I will so be using that). And she closed with a statement that we can use the traits of animals to win the animals their rights back. This induced emotion (even in me). The animals are brave in their struggle and we can use their bravery as our inspiration.

Also featured as a speaker was vegan Simpsons creator (!) Sam Simon, who was effortlessly funny and talked about how Real Housewife, Kyle Richards, was recently  made aware of the elephant abuse that occurs in Ringling Bros. circuses via Twitter. (Sidenote: 600 activists showed up to protest the circus in downtown L.A. on July 20th and there was an activist presence all week, right up until they ran the elephants back into their trains/trailers – whatever insufficient transportation device.)

For those who know me, I’m not the best passive listener, so I only did the conference one day. I went to a great talk on speaking our message by Josephine Bellacomo, a super fantastic speaker and activist. I want to be prepared to speak to media (and other interested parties) so this was very useful and Josephine was inspiring in her clear, sincere speaking manner. And I also went to a great discussion lead by Stephan Kaufman (who I see now is from the Christian Vegetarian Association… interesting cause I was bashing anti-abortion) on the grey areas of animal rights ethics: Can we ever justify cheating, stealing, subordinating other social justice goals?

This was a pertinent talk because we had all types of activists joining in from marines to teens, some preferred direct action, others preferred outreach. We talked about the new Pig Farm Investigation video from Mercy for Animals and discussed whether it is ever okay for an activist to kill and abuse animals (even if for the sake of capturing the realities of the industry on film). Very interesting because I often say: healing can never come from violence. But how would this video have come to be without an infiltrator? I can honestly say that I’m still mulling this one over.

We also talked about using women as sex symbols to get attention for animal rights issues (Peta, we’re talking about you). It seems almost silly to confuse the issues – animal abuse and sexual arousal, but on the other hand, veganism is the sexiest thing out there. Being healthy, compassionate, and self-respecting truly radiates beauty and sex appeal, and maybe some want to show this off while backing important issues. Not all sexual displays are degrading.

We also discussed whether animal rights can clash with other social issues, putting animals before people. But most activists in the room agreed on this: treating animals with kindness leads to treating humans with more kindness, whether it be the slaughterhouse workers (ending cycles of violence and oppression), the consumers (reducing food-borne illnesses and dietary diseases caused by animal products), or those facing issues of poverty and hunger (veganism can provide more food for more people).

Saturday evening ended with four successful home demos against L.A. based vivisectors. Edythe London, a UCLA primate abuser, stood outside and watched 66 activists express sorrow and outrage at her practices while DRINKING A CORONA AND LAUGHING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. Her neighbours did not take the matter as lightly. I didn’t take pictures as I didn’t want to have any trouble at the border (one of my friends is currently flagged as an eco-terrorist for having activist literature with her while crossing the border).

Edythe London: Vivisector, UCLA Relieves Guilt By: Drinking & Nervous Laughter

Conferences are great to remind us that we are not alone in this growing movement, which is the epitome of all non-violent movements. So many amazing hearts and minds were there building an indestructible energy – Will Potter, Nathan Runkle, Vancouver’s Brian Vincent, to name just a few. (A complete stranger from Band of Mercy lent me his Prius to hit the Ringling demo – what a guy.) All types of people (and animals) are now connected at a closer level and have new ideas for how to give the animals of this planet the freedom and joy they deserve.

But I just found this quote: As Dylan Powell from the Vegan Police is fond of saying “Talk – Action = Nothing”

As we convene, we must remember to act on what we’ve learned. As my new sticker says: “I <3 Direct Action”.

What we feel compelled to do, we must follow through

Git. Er. Done.