Don't be Obnoxious: An Approach to Advocacy

*I've been a proud vegan for four years.
TL;DR: As vegans, it is our responsibility to inspire and encourage curiosity in non-vegans.

I recently attended a small climate change panel in Massachusetts, focused on promoting local action for global impact. While veganism would have fit perfectly into the conversation, it wasn't addressed during any of the panelists' lectures, nor did any of them have expertise in a related field. During the Q&A session, an older gentleman asked the panelists if they were vegan and, if not, how they justified that choice. The room was visibly shocked by the confrontational tone of the question, and I was struck by how unproductive it was.

Let me start by saying this: it's not easy being right. As vegans, we know we’re on the right side of history, advocating for accountability and personal responsibility in the face of the climate crisis. It's also not easy to watch those around us make choices we know to be harmful. However, we must resist the urge to take an inflammatory approach.

As humans, our relationship with food is deeply primal and inherently emotional. When discussing veganism with non-vegans, imagine you are speaking to your younger, non-vegan self. Some of you have been vegan for a long time (and that’s something to be proud of!), but take a moment to reflect on the time before you made the switch. This perspective will help you extend the same empathy to others that helped you make your own transition.

If we want to spread our influence, we must guide non-vegans toward the answer by inspiring and encouraging their curiosity. The truth is, they’ll only make the change when they arrive at the conclusion themselves.

Finally, consider what the older gentleman could have asked instead: "Do you panelists envision a future with greater adoption of plant-based diets?" I'd love to hear your thoughts on this approach.

-T