Untold Stories

jemimaaslana:

reclusiveobscenities:

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Anyone who doesn’t believe that animals have the right to live lives free of human interference isn’t for animal rights. You most likely believe in animal welfare instead of animal rights.

Now for the classist/ableist argument. I completely understand that the world still hasn’t gotten to the point where everyone who would like to be vegan can. I’m not delusional. However, the only way we’re going to get the world to that point is if those of us who can make change, do.

I have no issues with people who aren’t in a position to change. I understand that the fault lies with society not them personally. But I see way to many people who make the excuse that because it’s not possible for everyone, it’s useless for anyone.

So there can be only one definition of animal rights? I disagree with that. But by your definitions, then yes I suppose I’d be for animal welfare. Fair enough. That’s a minor point, though.

Yes, change will only happen if those who can do something actually do do that something, whatever it might be. However, from accepting this premise to shaming people for being unable to do something - yeah, that’s exactly where it went from well-meaning veganism to classist/ableist bigotry.

Additionally. We don’t all have spoons/time/energy to fight for every single cause out there. So I for one am not going to call, say, a trans woman a bigot for not fighting for animal rights, if she has chosen to fight for trans rights. It is only natural to fight for those things that are closest to your own situation. And frankly, as long as we can’t even manage to treat our fellow human beings right, I’d say it’s a lost cause to get people to treat animals right.

I choose to spend my spoons on causes I believe are important. That does not mean other causes that I don’t spend as much time on are less important in the big picture, just that I cannot prioritize everything and I have made my choice. That does not make me a bigot, it merely makes me someone who doesn’t have all the time in the world for fighting for every cause out there. I need time for basic things like… functioning and other such tedious things. It sucks, but that’s how it is. And as long as people kill my trans sisters merely because they dare to exist, that is a good example of what comes before my concern with people killing animals to eat them. Waaaaay before.

I haven’t actually seen anyone make the argument that veganism is useless. Not in this whole conversation at least. I don’t believe veganism will make half as much of a difference as many people seem to think. I believe there are other just as good ways to achieve a better world. But I definitely don’t think it’s useless.

My original rant was a response to something that was actually said. And far too much of the conversation since then has been about “well, you didn’t specifically say, but so many people do, so now I’m gonna lump you in with them”, so yeah… but veganism is far from useless. I just don’t think it’s the only thing that’s useful.

I hope that made sense. It’s getting late and I should go to bed.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU