Well said. I hear so many times that messaging in the vegan community: "you can't love animals if you're eating them" or something to that extent. But it's not that black and white, and also veganism is not simply about love. It's about compassion and consciousness. Thinking far enough outside of ourselves to consider another being enough to choose to not eat them.
Jay, thank you for this thoughtful comment! I feel the same way as you, but started doubting myself once I posted this to Instagram and started to get a lot of hate comments. I am glad that someone like Billie, with her platform, is calling attention to the mater and saying these things. But (and this is the but!) I feel like some folks who are not vegan need a really critical conversation with more nuance to really consider veganism and sort their ethics out about it. I wish it was just about love, but alas, it is not. You nailed it when you said "thinking far enough outside ourselves."
I get it. The position you are in, choosing a position and standing by it, is often going to draw good and not so good attention. That doesn't help the cause when the root of what you're trying to get at is bringing more of the world to an understanding of commonality, especially with animals.
I would also add that what you're doing; standing for what you believe even if it means disagreeing with another vegan, and a famous one at that, is courageous. Don't forget that.
Thank you! I am glad that she is saying what she is saying, (it would be bad if she said "you can love animals AND eat them too!") but again, I feel like some folks who find veganism through logic and reasoning rather than just following their heart are going to need something more substantial to get there. This was also a great lesson to me in learning how quickly we, especially inside the vegan movement, can turn on those who are doing the very important work alongside us when we disagree with the WAY we got to the same conclusion. I think we need to pause more and remember that each person arrives to their vegan ethics differently, so some of us will be guides for others at different times in different ways.
100%. It’s not all-or-nothing or black-and-white. We can both work together within the vegan community and disagree with approaches, as long as we can remain kind about it, and have both be okay. It’s how the world moves forward.
Dearest phenomenal, Calen, it’s Sarah here from the U.K. I shall near forget you as you were instrumental in championing me to get my first article published for Robert, founder of the mighty, Free From Harm.
What a stonking article and so beautifully written with such grace, emotional intelligence and compassion.
The animals have a truly remarkable advocate in you and we are so fortunate to have you in this wonderful movement of ahimsa, peace and love for ALL who inhabit this somewhat fractured, but ultimately, beautiful planet.
My Weltschmerz overwhelms me when I think of how animals are treated, especially the dear farmed animals, but I remember inspiring people like you and my heart heels.
Thank you for not only taking the time to read but to comment as well. I get pretty down about the way our beyond-human friends are treated too -- thanks for being a great reminder that my compassionate community is out there. <3
Well said. I hear so many times that messaging in the vegan community: "you can't love animals if you're eating them" or something to that extent. But it's not that black and white, and also veganism is not simply about love. It's about compassion and consciousness. Thinking far enough outside of ourselves to consider another being enough to choose to not eat them.
Jay, thank you for this thoughtful comment! I feel the same way as you, but started doubting myself once I posted this to Instagram and started to get a lot of hate comments. I am glad that someone like Billie, with her platform, is calling attention to the mater and saying these things. But (and this is the but!) I feel like some folks who are not vegan need a really critical conversation with more nuance to really consider veganism and sort their ethics out about it. I wish it was just about love, but alas, it is not. You nailed it when you said "thinking far enough outside ourselves."
I get it. The position you are in, choosing a position and standing by it, is often going to draw good and not so good attention. That doesn't help the cause when the root of what you're trying to get at is bringing more of the world to an understanding of commonality, especially with animals.
I would also add that what you're doing; standing for what you believe even if it means disagreeing with another vegan, and a famous one at that, is courageous. Don't forget that.
Thank you! I am glad that she is saying what she is saying, (it would be bad if she said "you can love animals AND eat them too!") but again, I feel like some folks who find veganism through logic and reasoning rather than just following their heart are going to need something more substantial to get there. This was also a great lesson to me in learning how quickly we, especially inside the vegan movement, can turn on those who are doing the very important work alongside us when we disagree with the WAY we got to the same conclusion. I think we need to pause more and remember that each person arrives to their vegan ethics differently, so some of us will be guides for others at different times in different ways.
100%. It’s not all-or-nothing or black-and-white. We can both work together within the vegan community and disagree with approaches, as long as we can remain kind about it, and have both be okay. It’s how the world moves forward.
Dearest phenomenal, Calen, it’s Sarah here from the U.K. I shall near forget you as you were instrumental in championing me to get my first article published for Robert, founder of the mighty, Free From Harm.
What a stonking article and so beautifully written with such grace, emotional intelligence and compassion.
The animals have a truly remarkable advocate in you and we are so fortunate to have you in this wonderful movement of ahimsa, peace and love for ALL who inhabit this somewhat fractured, but ultimately, beautiful planet.
My Weltschmerz overwhelms me when I think of how animals are treated, especially the dear farmed animals, but I remember inspiring people like you and my heart heels.
Dear Sarah,
Thank you for not only taking the time to read but to comment as well. I get pretty down about the way our beyond-human friends are treated too -- thanks for being a great reminder that my compassionate community is out there. <3
You, Calen, have been at the forefront of our wonderful movement for many years so
thank you - and always on the right side of history!