Thinking about "Meatout 2011" as I wrote this post, my mind wandered back to my first "Meatout" experience many years ago, when I noted dedicated vegetarians/vegans from the Vegetarian Society of DC (the oldest such group in the country, I'm since a life member), huddled behind a table on the Washington Mall in freezing weather, cheerfully providing information to and answering questions from visitors to the Mall.
"What dedication..." I remember thinking. They have a cause, and they are devoting their time, unselfishly to try to educate the public about the negative issues associated with eating meat, dairy, and eggs. I admired them for that dedication and self-sacrifice, eschewing personal comfort and the usual focus on form stuff instead of deeper spiritual matters. They're not calling it in, sending a check, they are actually on the front lines talking TO people and doing something active.
Since that time, I've done my share of overt activism in the streets handing out information, which was by no means as dedicated as those women who, in freezing weather, would protest the wearing of fur at the Galleries in North DC area. Nowhere near as impressive as the tired but happy look in the eyes of the Mad Cowboy, aka, Howard Lyman, as he came back from a cross country lecture tour, inspired and on fire by the excitement generated and the feedback he received from the lucky people he spoke to. Then there's the long long hours I saw Alex Hershaft (FARM) put in on his tireless and endless quest to avoid the animal holocaust he perceives occurring now versus the actual Holocaust he experienced as a child. The inspired diatribes of Robert Cohen's daily column (the NotMilkMan) for so many years.
Personally, among other things, I've edited some 70 issues of the Mad Cowboy Newsletter (zero to 4,700 subscribers), been head photographer at AR200X Conferences (meeting so many dedicated people), helped write/edit a book of vegan recipes, developed/producted/edited/managed some 4 DVDs for the vegan madman called Howard. Guess I'm a covert activist. Then there's this blog. Recently hit my 500th post. Wow... all that ranting.
Activism, the activist... they are of a different breed than most people. They care more for an ideal or altruistic goal then making money, focusing on having fun, and other superficial non-important non-spiritual drives. Self-sacrifice flows in their blood. They have a fire inside, something that propells them forward, no matter what the cost, no matter what the consequences, to help promote and make the changes that society must, eventually, incorporate for the greatest good. They are the leading edge, they are the vanguards of newer ethics, consciousness, and awareness. They force society to look at itself and re-examine it's values. They are a mirror to the Medusa society is in danger of becoming if people don't evolve. Balance to them is stagnation, there's a lot of work to be done. They don't just think it, they put things into motion and do it. They engage. They know there will be conflict, there will be risks, but they have the inner faith that a positive outcome will manifest. Energy follows thought.
As I struggle with my cookbook, the long hours, the overall financial gamble, some ridicule, some personal disappointments, I take comfort in knowing that I'm doing the right thing. Of course it'll be a no-added fat cookbook, and help promote reversing and preventing heart disease (the number one killer of people in this country, vegan, vegetarian, or not). I take some solace in recognizing that I'm not alone. There are many activists out there, working their butts off every day, and with Twitter I've had the delight of getting to know many of them casually, who are striving to do better, and make this world a better vegan place. THEY ARE ON FIRE!
Meatout is one of the more important activism efforts in the veg'n community. The world's largest grassroots dietary education campaign! Year after year, FARM tirelessly promotes, educates, incites, encourages, and supports this effort (among many others) to help educate people about why meat is just plain bad. Animal rights, the environment, spiritually, and health. Hard to argue with all that these days, whereas two decades ago, we were considered deluded and there just wasn't as much compelling evidence to support what we knew was right, as is available now. No easy way to distribute videos of factory farm abuses or dietary statistics.
With even the UN acknowledging the health and environmental benefits of a vegetarian (vegan) diet, we no longer need feel ashamed (if we ever did) nor shy nor crazy in our belief that going vegan is the best thing that a person can do, for themselves, for others, for the animals, and for the planet. It was all that early activism, faith, and trust that got us this far, and it will be the same that helps us continue to spread the word.
So, give a kind word to the activist, a hug would help, try to understand their driven nature & desire to do good, that they are not trying to be difficult but simply want to move us all forward. Respect them for the role they play in society and give them encouragement. Without their efforts, we'd be stagnant, and significant change would be an extremely slow process even more vulnerable to Corporate bullshit. The activists are the catalyst in the meta-social chemical process of progress. They make it happen.
We're vital. We are networking. We are making press, the media is aware of us, and the change is happening. I can't believe the number of articles or news items related to a vegan or vegetarian diet I see weekly. Just astounding. And then, I'm no great fan of Oprah, but when even Oprah has her staff going vegan for a week, we can rest assured, we are no longer on the fringe.
We are the future. And that's what Meatout and all veg'n activists are working for.
Take a moment to be proud. Breathe in, breath out...
Now, get back to work and spread the word. Network, tweet, blog, get out on the streets, get active. DO SOMETHING.
There's a lot to be done... and lots of animals, people, & environment to protect.
Twitter: @solveggie
