The sleep of reason brings forth monsters. (Francisco Goya)
Although written for Canberra, the Australian National Capital Right to Protest Guidelines say this:
Our democracy recognises this right which is subject to the general law and must be balanced against the rights and interests of others and of the community as a whole.
Of paramount importance are the protection of public safety, the maintenance of peace and the facilitation of fair and equal access to public areas.
Recent protests by vegans in Victoria, NSW, and Queensland were the opposite of this, certainly compared to the well-organised and anticipated Climate Change school strikes held around Australia or the rally against live export.
You’re frustrated. You feel a sense of urgency. You’re impatient.
But as The Conversation said last week, vegan activists: you’re getting it wrong.
Credit: Ellen Smith/AAP, source: The Conversation
If you wanted to confuse the message with the medium, you’ve done it.
Pissing people off is not the answer.
Invading people’s privacy is not the answer. Would you tolerate that in reverse?
Those who said they had a burger instead of a salad for lunch that day in “retribution” for your action were just being inflammatory too.
But then, why do we expect others to be kind to us if we don’t lead with kindness and consideration?
I resisted using the term “vegan” for a long time because of negative stereotypes and an expectation of perfect compliance, preferring to say “I’m taking a plant-based approach”. I still like that better, even if it is more awkward.
Of course, the questionable actions of one group of humans is independent of what’s true or false in the world.
So, you want people to watch Dominion?
No-one really should want anyone to watch Dominion, even though I think its message is important.
Earthlings and later Dominion horrified and upset me. There are plenty more to choose from, including the Land of Hope and Glory, Cowspiracy, and What the Health?
Some people will respond to direct action or documentaries.
Others will be completely turned off by in-your-face approaches.
Some may prefer to read more matter-of-fact resources like those of the RSPCA or books like The Ethics of What we Eat.
Others will prefer a combination or none of the above.
I have a certain sympathy for the cube of truth, but even there I have concerns.
Source: http://tiny.cc/amj64y
I’ve spoken with activists in Adelaide’s Rundle Mall.
You’ve all seemed like nice people.
But sometimes, I hear you use phrases like “convert to veganism”.
The temptation to adopt that attitude must be strongly resisted.
You shouldn’t be trying to convert anyone to anything. That way lies dogma and an analog of religious zealotry.
Sure, engage people in conversation, encourage people to think about what they believe to be true about the world, cast doubt on the validity of traditions and long-held beliefs.
That’s just plain old skepticism and the aim of movements like street epistemology.
It’s not up to you — or anyone — to tell people what to think or how to live.
Above all, show compassion for the people you engage with (people are animals too), as well as the non-human animals you are trying to save, a path I have not always trod well.
I’ve chosen to try to eliminate the use of animal products. I feel compelled to.
Others choose to reduce the use of animal products in various ways.
It all helps.
Doing nothing is less tenable the further down the track we go.
I thought it was interesting that Grill’d had their first Meat Free Monday not long after the vegan protests. Voting with our wallets may ultimately be more effective than direct protest.
Honestly though, I’d rather not write about this stuff at all, but I still feel the need to get it off my chest. I’ve written more here.
I’d rather be writing about the recent amazing black hole image, variable stars, computing history, even the evils of religion. But this topic still occupies me.
In general, I’d just like to get on with trying to live a meaningful, enjoyable life.
Finally, as I’ve suggested in several other posts, to gain some perspective, watch Pale Blue Dot. Or watch it again if it’s been awhile, as I do.