ARCO's Abolitionists - A Vegan Forum

I went to the FARM Christmas party last night (do I sense James glowering out there? ). First, I talked to Alex Hershaft and said how wonderful it is that he's changing from "Reform" to "Rights," and that I appreciated his writing that he had changed after decades of fighting passionately for welfare.

Also cornered the fellow who runs (part of? not sure) Food For Life (Paul?) and thanked him for spreading the message of sharing veganism in the developing world. Countering the Heifer International influence and all, and taking on the "starving people need animal agriculture" issue.

I'm thinking now that I wish I had said a word to Paul Shapiro. Not that I think I would have been any more, to him, than just another annoying voice clamoring about welfarism. But I c ould have been a sincere voice, expressing my disenchantment with the cage-free egg campaign. Who knows, maybe with enough sincere voices, we might affect his thinking.

I feel like I passed over an opportunity to speak up for a lot of chickens. Kind of like not saying anything to certain omni's because they look like they're intractable. I wouldn't have spent any time arguing of course, just asked for a moment to communicate that to him.

Feeling guilty, but also feeling like that's not productive. I could use some words of advice for the future!

panthera wrote:I went to the FARM Christmas party last night (do I sense James glowering out there? ).

Of course, it is up to you what you do, panthera. My view is simply that I would not participate in anything welfarist that implied some kind of support.

panthera wrote:First, I talked to Alex Hershaft and said how wonderful it is that he's changing from "Reform" to "Rights," and that I appreciated his writing that he had changed after decades of fighting passionately for welfare

I don't really know anything about Alex Hershaft, but I read something by him recently in which we was saying that he hand come to realize that welfarism was a mistaken strategy and that we should concentrate on vegan outreach. It takes courage to come out and say that after being a supporter of welfarism.

panthera wrote:I'm thinking now that I wish I had said a word to Paul Shapiro. Not that I think I would have been any more, to him, than just another annoying voice clamoring about welfarism. But I c ould have been a sincere voice, expressing my disenchantment with the cage-free egg campaign. Who knows, maybe with enough sincere voices, we might affect his thinking.

I don't think people who represent the big corporate groups would be interested in your message, panthera. I think it is wiser and more productive to concentrate your efforts on the public as opposed to trying to "convert" the corporate groups.

panthera wrote:I feel like I passed over an opportunity to speak up for a lot of chickens. Kind of like not saying anything to certain omni's because they look like they're intractable. I wouldn't have spent any time arguing of course, just asked for a moment to communicate that to him....Feeling guilty, but also feeling like that's not productive. I could use some words of advice for the future!

Don't feel guilty, panthera. Just do what you feel comfortable with. The more experience you get, the more comfortable you'll feel; it just takes time. Hang in there!

It's more use speaking to children about veganism than it is to corporate big wigs. I think your time was better spent talking to animal rightists, moral support is important and I don't expect anyone there was set to change their opinions, having gone there with strong ones.

Paul is fairly vested in the HSUS campaigns. His mind is already made up. I know Paul, and I don't want to put words in his mouth, but he would likely defend his approach and ask that you see his point of view, without necessarily trying to convince you that you should abandon yours. Don't feel bad that you didn't approach him.