Well, that's just it, Abraxus. The vegans that become known are the bat-shit crazy ones. Christians are smeared by the right-to-life psycho doctor-killers. Gamers are villified by the delusional losers that believe they are vampire-barbarian-techno-spacepirates. Cops are portrayed as truncheon wielding sadists. Folks who are not from big cities are considered backwards, inbred rubes. It is how well known the stereo-type is and how often there are people that live counter to that stereotype whom are visible enough for others to take note.
Most vegans, like most people, choose to live their lives quietly. So who does that leave as an example of "I am a vegan" for the masses? Well, that would happen to be that insular bunch screaming at the tourists in the promenade on Saturdays with pictures of prey being field-cleaned and poorly edited literature about the meat packing industry decorating their table. Joe blue-collar will not think of endeavoring Ed going about his work as the vegan he is, but of high-horse Holly initiating a conversation with Joe only to tell him that he is sick for eating the dead flesh of an animal. These are the high priests trying to win their converts no matter whether they are ordained or even sane. The confrontational hawkers of the vegan life-style are most often the first, and tragically lasting, impression the common person has of vegans. It is because of these people that vegans, and vegetarians, are associated with preachy, holier-than-thou attitudes. Is this fair for you and other vegans? No, but there you have it.
_________________ "Y'know, if nothing else, living here has incredibly sharpened my 'Hey, there's someone coming for my dick!' defense skills." -
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