You know something's off with society when you get relentlessly bullied and hated on for not eating animals and opposing their slaughter. If you're a vegan or an animal activist (or both, you badass), you've likely experienced this time and time again throughout your life. Whether it's inexplicable online trolling or being the butt of your friends/family's jokes - we've all been there, and we're cluckin' sick of it.
So today we're going to take a magnifying glass to the haters, and explore why simply 'not eating animals' is enough to spark rage and hatred in so many meat-eaters.
Cultural Conditioning and Tradition:
From childhood, we're fed cultural norms that usually include the consumption of animal products. These traditions, passed down through generations, become ingrained in societal identity. As a result, veganism, which challenges these age-old practices, is met with skepticism and resistance. The mere suggestion of abstaining from meat or dairy can be perceived as a rejection of cultural heritage, prompting defensive reactions from those who feel their identity threatened. Thus, the vegan hate begins.
Economic Influences and Industry Interests:
The animal agriculture industry wields significant economic power, with vested interests in maintaining the status quo. By perpetuating the narrative that animal products are essential for health and prosperity, they safeguard their profits at the expense of ethical and environmental concerns. Through lobbying, advertising, and disinformation campaigns, these industries propagate stigmas against veganism and animal activism, framing them as fringe movements devoid of practicality or validity. Take it from us, farmers absolutely LOVE bashing vegans.
Psychological Defence Mechanisms:
Human psychology plays a pivotal role in shaping attitudes towards veganism and animal activism. When confronted with information that challenges deeply held beliefs or behaviours, individuals often experience cognitive dissonance—a discomfort arising from conflicting thoughts. To alleviate this discomfort, individuals may resort to defence mechanisms, such as denial or anger.
Consequently, ethical considerations regarding animal welfare and environmental sustainability are dismissed or minimised in favour of maintaining psychological equilibrium to avoid the guilt of confronting the reality of meat production. Basically, people tend to prefer to stick their head in the sand or get super angry rather than actually considering how meat gets onto their plate.
Social Dynamics and Identity Formation:
Human beings are inherently social creatures, seeking validation and belonging within their communities. In many social circles, dietary choices serve as markers of identity, signalling shared values and cultural affiliations. Deviating from dietary norms can evoke feelings of social isolation or ostracisation, compelling individuals to conform to the dietary preferences of their peer groups. As a result, vegans and animal activists may face ridicule or marginalisation, reinforcing the stigma surrounding their lifestyle choices.
Media Portrayals and Stereotypes:
The media plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions of veganism and animal activism. Sensationalised portrayals of activists as radical extremists or self-righteous zealots perpetuate negative stereotypes, obscuring the diversity and complexity of the movement. By framing veganism as an impractical or ideologically-driven endeavour, the media contributes to the marginalisation of advocates and fosters a climate of skepticism and distrust.
Fragile Egos:
If you've ever had the audacity to post so much as a meat-free recipe on socials, you're likely familiar with this one. Insecurity often drives people to troll others online, as it provides a way to mask their own self-doubt and project negativity onto others while making themselves feel big and important. Veganism, with its compassionate and ethical community, becomes an easy target for these trolls because it challenges conventional norms. The anonymity of the internet allows these individuals to vent their insecurities without accountability, making kind individuals like vegans particularly susceptible to online harassment. Despite this, it's important to remember that their negativity says more about their own sad struggles than the validity of your values.
At The End Of The Day ...
When people try to bring you down for your beliefs, stay frosty and use it as a chance to share why you do what you do. Set boundaries if needed, and show off the awesome benefits of your lifestyle through your actions. If you can't get through to someone, try not to despair, because as we've discussed - some people just don't want to hear the ugly truth.
If your friends don't understand your lifestyle choices, seek out likeminded people
who do! There's loads of incredible, passionate people out there who would love to chat veganism/advocacy with you! If you've not found your squad yet, join online communities and groups and look out for local events near you. Oh, and don't forget to join us on socials - we have a ton of awesome followers who love to discuss this kinda stuff, as do we (obv)!
When in doubt, remember why you started this journey and how much of a difference your choices are making for the planet and for animals everywhere. You're making the world a better, kinder place and that's heckin' incredible.
Comments