Comments on: Hate mail

By: michelle

michelle — Tue, 02 May 2006 09:05:22 +0000

Oy vey! People and their soapboxes. I don’t understand why everything is so black and white. Eating a non-animal based diet is proven to lighten the load on the environment and our asses, so why was this lady so hateful?

Everything comes in steps and very few people can go from being a mega-consuming, SUV driving, Starbucks every morning and Big Mac every night person to a tree-hugging, herbivore, public transit riding eco-evangelist overnight. Why can’t people accept that there are thousands of shades of grey and many of us are working towards that ideal instead of being a nasty little hater? She should be friggin’ happy that there are people who want to do their part to make the world nicer for her little crumb crunchers.

By: Teresa

Teresa — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 01:44:03 +0000

Well, I think you did very well responding to that e mail. For myself, going completely vegan last November has given me a very peaceful feeling. I think I actually spend less on food now.

By existing on this planet, we all cause it harm. I do my best to do as little harm as possible. I think there are many of us who do try.

Got to go and pack my vegan lunch for tomorrow. Hard working, tax payer in the real world!

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 22:52:57 +0000

I am glad you posted the email so everyone can see how uneducated the author is about everything they mentioned. Any logical person would look up at least one thing before blindly criticizing it. Too bad the author already passed their hate genes on….
We are so used to this stuff, but the letter was a bit over the top. You can tell the author really is angry. We’ve had cans and insults thrown at us at KFC demos. We have had people say we are wrong for opposing cruel, money-wasting “charities” like March of Dimes of American Cancer Society (Relay for Life). One thing we can always take solace in is the fact that we need never be ashamed of doing what is right. It’s not always the easiest thing to do, but it will be for the greater good.

By: Daharja

Daharja — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 06:25:37 +0000

Change starts with the smallest step. I don’t understand why the writer would feel such anger towards vegetarians and vegans, and justify their lack of action by the fact that it is impossible to do *everything*.

Every tiny change we make for the better makes this world a better place. Every time a person (vegetarian or not) chooses an animal-friendly option at a restaurant or at home, they are making a difference, even if they don’t realise it.

This doesn’t have to be a battle between a mythical ‘us’ and ‘them’. We’re all on this planet together. Lets start growing up and living as ethical beings.

By: Michael G. Richard

Michael G. Richard — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 03:32:20 +0000

At least you get coherent hate mail. At Treehugger.com we often get stuff like: “OMG I LUV KILLING TREES, I’M EATING VEAL RIGHT NOW!”

By: Summer

Summer — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 17:10:49 +0000

Well said, Ryan (and everyone else who commented above). I find that just being vegan is offensive to people. It can be extremely frustrating to be offensive to someone without even trying. :) But it’s also an opportunity to be a catalyst for change. When I remember that, I react better. :)

By: Marcy

Marcy — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:52:29 +0000

I’m a regular reader of this blog, and now my mom even tunes in (and is also eating vegan recently, although that was her choice, I just offered help when she got interested). Just wanted to say that I’m glad you were able to handle it in the way that you did…a good middle ground common-sense response that’s neither too inflammatory or too sheepish. Good on you. That’s how people most likely learn and change, anyhow. I’ve influenced more than one person to eat more or all the way veg*n over the years, never as conversion or dogma, just as giving common sense replies and making it doable in the so-called real world. Getting them to try new things and be open-minded. That sort of thing. It’s what leads to more lasting change…i.e. someone not only turning veg*n/animal rights oriented, but *staying* that way and doing the same for others who are curious…

Anyways, as a “reclaiming” sort of humor I recently purchased an herbivore.com “Cranky Vegan Asshole” button which I now wear everywhere. Not only does it show an ability to poke fun at one’s self, but also it relates to how so many people assume vegans are automatically just that, i.e. we’re picky and snarky and in the wrong somehow. As opposed to, say, being deeply affected by empathy towards animals while growing up…

By: karen

karen — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:10:13 +0000

this is a slightly extreme example of something i come across fairly regularly. somebody finds out you’re vegetarian or vegan, and they immediately want to know why you’re not doing all these other things too, also out of conscience.

i can’t think why somebody would want to make that argument or why they’d get all riled up unless they were kind of defensive. at the very least they’d have to feel looked down upon, even though i don’t think the tone of this blog is condescending in any way. sometimes people just feel condescended to anytime somebody makes an ethical choice not to do something they still do.

bottom line, people make their own choices and rules. some people try not to consume animal products, some people try to leave the smallest footprint, etc. and some people just sit around second-guessing people who are just doing their best to make a positive effort of some kind.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 14:48:41 +0000

I had a much snarkier response ready to go, but thought the better of it.

By: Dreena

Dreena — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 13:30:50 +0000

Ryan, I am not surprised you don’t receive more of this “angry” mail… you are not offensive or antagonistic in this blog. At all.

Let’s hope this person learns more through your blog and other sources to understand your point about the ‘real world’. I think most people turn a blind eye to reasons for eating vegan, simply because they think it will require too much work and change for them. For so many people, ignorance is bliss.

By: esm

esm — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 13:12:57 +0000

One of my favorite comments I ever heard in the advocacy for buying local/organic/free range, whatever was that if it is too expensive, don’t buy it (this was in response to a comment about milk and eggs being so expensive). That sounds harsh, but the best foods for you are often the cheapest - think of indigenous foods - rice & beans, corn, etc.

By: SusanV

SusanV — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 13:01:37 +0000

You handled that very well. It’s funny how people think that their way of seeing things is the “real world.” Like vegetarians and vegans don’t shop in the same stores and try to stay within a budget while feeding our families. I wonder where such anger comes from.

By: Rene

Rene — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 05:16:21 +0000

You know, it’s amazing to see how people react towards vegetarians/vegans. I wish they would not be so negative. However, it is nice to see how you responded in a mature, educated manner. Like Karen said, you’re a great spokesperson for the veggies and animals :)

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 04:21:58 +0000

You’re a wonderful veg spokesperson…