{"id":2731,"date":"2011-12-14T11:24:15","date_gmt":"2011-12-14T19:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.happycow.net\/blog\/?p=2731"},"modified":"2018-04-18T17:33:01","modified_gmt":"2018-04-19T00:33:01","slug":"to-%e2%80%9cv%e2%80%9d-or-not-to-%e2%80%9cv%e2%80%9d","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happycow.net\/blog\/to-%e2%80%9cv%e2%80%9d-or-not-to-%e2%80%9cv%e2%80%9d\/","title":{"rendered":"To “V” or Not to “V”"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo credit: Ambro<\/p>\n

There has been a lot of discussion, buzz, arguing about whether or not we should use the word \u201cvegan\u201d or the word \u201cvegetarian\u201d in our outreach and discussions.\u00a0 Some folks say that using the \u201cV\u201d word (vegan) turns people off and we should just say \u201cvegetarian\u201d because it is seen as less \u201cextreme\u201d.\u00a0 While cooking at the meditation center I go to, I was told I could not label things vegan, even if they were vegan, because that word is too \u201cpolitical\u201d.<\/p>\n

Last night we had two \u201ccouch surfers\u201d stay at our house.\u00a0 Neither one was vegan or vegetarian, but they shared their perspectives.\u00a0 One of our guests said that the only vegans she ever met, before us, ate junk all the time and were very unhealthy.\u00a0 I told her that they certainly did not represent all vegans and in fact were the worst \u201cposter children\u201d for veganism.\u00a0 It only reinforced for me how important it is to be a healthy representative of our community.\u00a0 While I was having the discussion with her, our other guest said she thought it was better to say \u201cplant-based\u201d than vegan.\u00a0 The problem with saying plant-based is that this term only addresses what we eat.\u00a0 Choosing to practice veganism is about so much more than what we eat.\u00a0 As a vegan we use our compassionate yard stick to decide which clothing, cosmetics, household products, entertainment and food we will support as consumers.\u00a0 It goes so far beyond our food choices.<\/p>\n

The discussions around using the V word or not, reminded me of a childhood experience.\u00a0 I grew up in a Jewish family in a very non-Jewish community.\u00a0 In our little community, our family was the poster family for Jews everywhere.\u00a0 The preconceived ideas about Jews that existed in the community before we even arrived there made this a very tough job.\u00a0 Without even meeting us, there were homes, yards and some business who banned us from stepping on their property.\u00a0 I spent many years trying to hide the fact that my family was Jewish.\u00a0 I wanted to enjoy the ease of just being places without the judgments.\u00a0\u00a0 When people did know that I was from a Jewish family, I felt it was my job to personally dispel all the myths about Jews.\u00a0 This is a big job for a kid.\u00a0 At some point, I decided that my unwillingness to readily admit that I came from a Jewish family only reflected that I had the same judgments as those around me.\u00a0 I was giving in to the myths and prejudices.\u00a0 Everyone wants to be seen as an individual and not be judged based on prejudices and cultural stories.\u00a0 I do not want people to assume they know all about me because I am a woman, over 50, Caucasian, etc.\u00a0 If it is true that most myths are based on the truth of a particular group, then surely there are exceptions to these myths.\u00a0 There are individuals who blow these stereotypes out of the water. \u00a0Every group is made up of unique individuals.<\/p>\n

If we feel good about our compassionate vegan path, then it is very important to be honest with people about who we are.\u00a0 We vegans come in all shapes, ages, colors, and education and economic levels.\u00a0 Some of us are very healthy and some of us are not.\u00a0 Some of us exercise and eat pure foods and some of us sit on our butts and eat junk.\u00a0 None of that changes the fact that we are all choosing a practice that is alleviating some suffering in the world.\u00a0 Honestly, there are times when I have met people who are vegan, but are, in my opinion, not the best representatives of our community.\u00a0 They might be physically unhealthy or mean-spirited or self-righteous.\u00a0 Because we are such a small percentage of the population, you may be the first vegan or the only vegan that someone meets personally.<\/p>\n

You can think of this as a two-step process.\u00a0 First, think of yourself as the poster child for veganism.\u00a0 If not for yourself, than for the animals who will be saved when people meet you and say \u201cWhatever you are doing, I want to do it!\u201d\u00a0 They meet an energetic, healthy, loving person and want to be part of their community.\u00a0 You can be that invitation.\u00a0 Do all that you can to care for yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually and you will be like a flower to the bees.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo credit: Zolt\u00e1n Fut\u00f3<\/a> via BigStock<\/p>\n

Second, be willing to use the \u201cV\u201d word when you feel like you are a positive representative of the community.\u00a0 It may be you who dispels the myths that this person is carrying around.\u00a0 It may be you who opens them up to the possibility that someone practicing veganism can be healthy and loving.\u00a0 Your choice to walk the vegan path is about compassion for all beings, including yourself and all those you connect with in life.\u00a0 Take this job seriously.\u00a0 It is an honor to be chosen for this role.\u00a0 You are the ambassador who is speaking up for all life.\u00a0 So, care for yourself and go out into the world unapologetically, letting your vegan light shine.\u00a0 The animals and the earth and all people will be better off for your efforts and honesty.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo credit: meepoohfoto<\/a><\/strong>‘s<\/p>\n

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Need some encouragement in your practice?\u00a0 Watch these short, inspiring films:<\/p>\n