When I walk around Ohio State’s campus, I often see posters that read “veganism is a moral issue” posted all over the place. Every time I see these posters, I question what exactly they’re trying to convey. I can understand that the practice of raising animals solely food is in many respects immoral, yet I sense there’s a broader message in this slogan.
For starters, this slogan could be interpreted negatively. The media often presents the stereotype of the judgy vegan. This stereotype implies that vegans may be self-righteous and quick to judge or lecture others about their eating habits, which can create tension in conversations about veganism. For this reason, it’s important to acknowledge that perspectives on morality can vary widely among different people and cultures. While some may see veganism as a moral imperative, others may not share those same ethical beliefs and may prioritize different values. When people are overly defensive or combative in conversations, it can be difficult for any significant progress to be made. This is certainly not helpful in the era of the climate crisis.
Conversations about veganism can become even more controversial when the cultural nuances surrounding food are explored. Food is deeply intertwined with cultural identity, tradition, and social practices. Many traditional cuisines around the world are not vegan, and individual food preferences often come from a person’s familial and/or cultural background. Asking individuals to adopt a vegan diet without considering these cultural nuances can be perceived as dismissive or disrespectful of their culture. It’s important to approach conversations about veganism with cultural sensitivity, acknowledging the diversity of food traditions and potentially finding new ways to incorporate plant-based options into existing traditional cuisines.
It is also necessary to recognize the role that privilege may play in the ability of a person to go vegan. Food deserts are areas in which access to affordable and nutritious food is limited, often due to the absence of grocery stores or farmers’ markets. In these areas, people often depend on fast food and convenience stores, which usually don’t have many healthy, plant-based choices. Simply telling the people who live in these areas that “veganism is a moral issue” overlooks the larger socioeconomic problems that they face in gaining access to a diverse group of foods. Addressing food deserts requires solutions that prioritize community empowerment and access to nutritious foods for all.
This dilemma has reminded me of Tom Mustill’s video starring Greta Thunberg titled “Our Relationship with Nature is Broken“. In this video Greta explains the ways in which humans are actively destroying the environment and how this disconnect can begin with the very food we eat. In the farming process, many animals are raised in dirty, crowded factories to be killed after their already short lives. The ways in which we farm animals for food not only impact their welfare as sentient beings, but they also contribute directly to the destruction of natural habitats. This, in turn, intensifies the pressures of human activity on animals and biodiversity overall. While Thunberg does not explicitly frame switching to a plant-based diet as a moral issue, she is in some way making a moral argument. She appeals to the people watching the video by persuading them to have empathy and not to exploit our ecosystems or other living beings any further.
I think Greta’s approach works better than the slogan in that her approach does not come off as super judgmental. Rather than be divisive, Thunberg makes a call for the masses to come together while still being firm in her message. Overall, it’s important to keep in mind that individuals’ dietary choices are personal and influenced by various factors, and that adopting a non-judgmental approach can promote empathy and understanding in discussions about veganism. For substantial change to occur, we must all come together and be willing to listen rather than tear down or villainize the other side.