Why is there so much hatred towards vegans?

[keysonthehighshelf]

I'm veggie, and slowly cutting down on certain things with the aim of being fully vegan by the end of the year. I'm not perfect, and I in no way dislike those who eat meat. I know some vegans are really aggressive but the vast majority are quietly vegan for their own reasons. I am raising my son vegetarian simply because I have never prepared meat before. I've seen a nutritionist and they've confirmed it's absolutely fine to raise a baby vegetarian and has given me meal plans and advice re supplements (which aren't actually needed). I still have had at least 4 people imply that I'm damaging him, and have had people aggressively tell me that 'vegans are hypocrites for wanting their food to look and taste like meat' - it doesn't really bother me but my sister who is vegan finds it upsetting. AIBU to think it's odd that people have such annoyance towards vegans? Or is it in my head?

imagine you found out that turning on a light switch meant a dog was killed

You think that people just need to find out that animals are killed for meat? And you need to tell people because they don't already know? Then they'll go vegan because you told them the truth, and they'll start spreading the word. Yep.

@AhoyMrBeaver

No. I know everyone understands that meat comes from dead animals.

I was giving a metaphor of how vegans feel about realising they've been complicit in animal suffering and changing their actions as a result, including advocating for change.

All of us can admit that there is a level of disassociation between consumers and the slaughterhouse. Nobody wants to see that footage. It's awful. People turn away, shield their eyes, feel sick. But nobody does that when you show a video of a wheat harvest.

Amazingly, slaughtermen, abbatoir workers and butchers tend not to be vegan. Perhaps more people are pragmatic about these methods than some vegans assume.

Perhaps they are, but is everyone who partakes in meat eating bearing witness to the killing floor?

In addition, I think it has also been found that many people that work in those environments suffer with PTSD. Daily mass killings of creatures that want to live has got to take it's toll.

If we did not have plastics or other synthetic materials,what would vegans wear on their feet ? Clogs ?

What?

Amazingly, slaughtermen, abbatoir workers and butchers tend not to be vegan
of course, it's not a job that you could do if you had any regard for the suffering of the animal, any such workers who did give up meat as a result of the job would leave the job.

All of us can admit that there is a level of disassociation between consumers and the slaughterhouse

When I ate meat I definitely knew I could not kill animal myself or see I one killed in front of me, I'd get upset and not feel like my food was worth that. But a packet of ham feels a long way from that!

Well, I have seen animals killed in front of me, and have also helped dispatch them. My relative was very firm that if you're going to eat meat, you need to know where it comes from and how it gets there. That was home kill of course.

And then there were the class trips through the local freezing works based on much the same premise.

So that part of the process doesn't come as much of a revelation to me. I grew up on farms, so that part of the process is not a mystery to me either.

That is something I do find irritating - when people assume I am completely ignorant, and that if I knew what they knew or watched the propaganda they watch I would clearly change my ways.

Well, I have seen animals killed in front of me, and have also helped dispatch them. My relative was very firm that if you're going to eat meat, you need to know where it comes from and how it gets there. That was home kill of course.

I’m completely behind that.

I don’t eat meat because I know that I couldn’t kill and animal. If I’m not prepared to do it then I don’t see why I should get someone else to do the dirty work for me.

@mbosnz

My point was not that people are ignorant, more detached. I am not ignorant to what is happening in Syria, but because I don't see what is happening there every day of my life I am less inclined to donate to charities based there than I am charities to help the homeless in my home town.

Your upbringing has clearly given you a good overview of the process and your choice is your choice but not everyone sees that and that is why vegans share, not because we think everyone else is stupid.

The large majority of us were all meat eaters because we were brought up as such, not because we all made the decision to kill animals for food. For many, the videos were what it took to end the detachment. Slaughter house footage is not propaganda - there are no actors, no CGI, no scripts, it's the reality of the meat industry.

If people agree with the process and have made that choice to eat meat and want others to have a better understanding about the provenance of food, I don't know why vegans sharing those videos upsets them so.

If we did not have plastics or other synthetic materials,what would vegans wear on their feet ? Clogs
Are you saying you would prefer to live in the stone age because that'd teach those vegans a lesson when they are unable to find ethical footwear?

If people agree with the process and have made that choice to eat meat and want others to have a better understanding about the provenance of food, I don't know why vegans sharing those videos upsets them so.

If I asked to see those videos, that would not upset me. If a person sent me those videos, without me having requested that, that would annoy me.

In much the same way I get annoyed at the well meaning religious evangelist at my doorstep asking me if I have accepted Jesus as my lord and saviour, and trying to press the bloody watchtower into my hands.

Propaganda doesn't necessarily mean it's scripted and acted. Propaganda can be done by dint of presenting extremes, or a very unbalanced viewpoint, with a very firm and strong agenda.

Because SOME vegans are very preachy and evangelical. They believe that their way is the only way and that everyone else is wrong

This. Obviously not all vegans are like this but an annoying vocal few give everyone else a bad name. I dont like or want people commenting on what I eat and I simply won't tolerate it. Similarly, I never comment on what others are eating because its their business. I wish everyone could just adopt this attitude, it would make life so much better.

Because some vegans are annoying and preachy. One asked me when I was going to help the earth and climate change by stopping my eating of meat ( I have meat three times a week). I pointed out she flies 8 times a year on average for work and notion of that has 2 long distance holidays. She didnt say too Much after that convo. Another friend goes on and on about how I should convert my whole family. She has the most unhealthy vegan diet I know.

@mboznz

What is it about the videos that is annoying? If you can link me alternative footage that shows the reality of the killing in the factory farming industry without what you perceive as bias please do. I will share it gladly.

Your comparison is not really an equivalent one and is trying to link veganism with religious evangelism which is a favoured tactic of people who are down on vegans for spurious reasons.

Every time I walk through the high street, browse the internet, watch TV, I am inundated with 'propaganda' - adverts, picutres or shows of people using animal products. Mumsnet has just chucked up a Canada Goose one at me. I didn't ask for that. Are Mumsnet like religious evangelists now too?

Any vegan post you see is a drop in the ocean compared to what we see advertised and encouraged every single day.

mbosnz
That's very much the point.

If I ask someone's views on an issue then that's fine and we can have an interesting discussion.
If I haven't asked and they take it upon themselves to 'educate' me or push their views on me, then I don't want to hear it and will consider them rude and pushy.

I don't care if that's religion, politics, veganism or any other issue. Don't lecture me.

Vegans/vegetarians make me shudder!
I hate even more so those raising their children like this, where is their choice and I truly don't believe it's safe especially in pregnancy to eat like this. We all need meat in our diets

@Okno

I disagree with you that it is not analogous. As Lolasmiles pointed out, what I said was that if I asked to see, or invited you to share, the videos, I would not see that as annoying. What I would find annoying would be if you presumed to send them to me without that invitation.

I'm seeing increasing ad's and promotions for vegetarianism and veganism all the time. That's absolutely fine! I think it's fantastic that it's increasingly popular and increasingly opened up as a choice, with increased choice of products for people who wish to explore or change their diet to veganism or vegetarianism.

Equally - no problem discussing veganism or vegetarianism on Mumsnet, if you come into a thread on it, you should be kinda clear what it's gonna be like by this point - on either sides of the debate.

Vegans/vegetarians make me shudder!
I hate even more so those raising their children like this, where is their choice and I truly don't believe it's safe especially in pregnancy to eat like this. We all need meat in our diets

Blimey! Sometimes it’s better to be quiet, than to advertise your ignorance on the internet.

Vegans/vegetarians make me shudder!

Lol. Poor petal.

Ah I misunderstood - I thought you meant if somebody had simply shared them and you came across them. I apologise.

Yes, I agree, unsolicited images or videos of any kind can be annoying.

I am not commenting on here to try and win over meat eaters, but I am here to defend the reputation of vegans who are often unfairly judged for simply trying to not harm animals.

I've explained why we are passionate (guilt) and why we share footage (feelings of futility) and why we find it difficult to stand by and be called preachy when we're surrounded by pro-meat advertising (frustration).

We are all only human and each of us can only make the choice to change when and if it is right for us - I say this as a former meat eater who dismissed veganism on several occasions.

I look forward to that link to the PG slaughterhouse footage

For me, it’s the need to advertise veganism at completely irrelevant times.

“Vegan runner” vests, being my main gripe.

So??!?

I’ve just had a bacon bap before this half marathon, pal. CBA, and more importantly SEE ABSOLUTELY NO POINT in getting a vest to advertise it.

Eff

Off

I'm not much of a video watcher, linker or video sharer okno, so you'll have to excuse me.

If you feel guilt, that is your guilt to bear. Not to seek to impose on others.

Share footage when invited and asked, or in forums, but don't send it to people just because you want to. . .

There's a lot of pro-vegan advertising as well these days. I guess that makes some meat eaters defensive. That doesn't make me defensive, but I do get angry when it crosses the line from being advertising to being aggressively (and I do mean aggressively) and sometimes literally, in people's faces. That's not okay - on either side.

Vegan runner” vests, being my main gripe.

How does that impact on you? It’s not like they’re forcing you to were it? If it’s the shirt I think you’re talking about, it’s actually worn by those who are members of a vegan runners group, just as many women wear RMR vests and leggings.

Share footage when invited and asked, or in forums, but don't send it to people just because you want to

I agree with this. My pet hate is videos of animal slaughter or indeed deliberate cruelty to animals. I don’t wish to see that on my Facebook feed.