I followed a link that a friend posted on Facebook that took me to a Buzzfeed video called “How to Make Vegan Junk Food.” I watched it and think the recipes look delicious; honestly, seeing how simple they were to throw together made me want to follow chef Leslie Durso (of http://lesliedurso.com/) right over a cliff and into a huge ocean of tasty yummy bad-but-good foodiness that just happens to be vegan.
Unfortunately, the comment section of the video seemed to have devolved into nothing more than a foul-name-spouting, insult-swinging battleground. I know, I know – reading comments on an internet video is enjoyable in the same way picking a scab is: it doesn’t exactly feel good, but there’s something appealing about the sensation; then, afterwards, when you’re left with a big gaping sore, all you feel is regret. But, my attention was drawn to the length of heated discourse that had sprung from what was essentially an inoffensive and completely benign video intended to spread an individual’s own tips for eating healthier (and, yes, vegan).
Something that breaks my heart that I’ve come across in all of the vegan groups I participate in online is that it seems like discussions about veganism seem to incite serious bullying. The occasions where people post about positive conversations they have had with meat-eaters do appear, but they seem to be a lot rarer than those tales of vegans who have been ridiculed for their beliefs. And I’m not saying that vegan people are perfect, because there’s more than a few who can be preachy and holier-than-thou. We’re all flawed; nobody is perfect. But there’s no excuse for bullying of any kind.
I just want to say thank you to all of my friends. Thank you for not posting offensive comments on my Facebook when I write about veganism, or when I share petitions, or when I re-share meat-free recipes that I think look delicious. Thank you for not insulting me or my choices, for not starting fights with me about our differences in opinion on certain topics, for not saying things that are supposed to be funny but that are actually hurtful. Thank you for letting me express myself without fear of reprisal.
Transitioning to veganism is turning out to be a lengthy process for me, and it is really lonely at times; I can’t imagine how it would be if I didn’t have the love and understanding of you all. .
If you’re interested in watching the mouth-watering video and picking up a few easy snack night ideas, just click here: http://www.buzzfeed.com/abefg/how-to-make-vegan-junk-food#2oyf0pd.
Seed. 