Somewhere over the (vegan) rainbow...

If you had asked me when I was in my 20s whether I enjoyed gardening or not I would have looked at you in complete contempt and as though you had two heads. But now I'm a (little) older I couldn't love it more.

I love being in the fresh air and sunshine (vitamin D - hello!), I love the fruits (and veg) of my labours and I love the fact that it gives me some of the best thinking time ever...

And it was whilst out thinking (and gardening) today, tying up my raspberry canes (about 200!) that my mind wandered to a recently advertised vegan event that I came across online yesterday.

And the more I thought about it the more it started to niggle me.

You see the event advertised is for a local Vegan Summer Gathering and initially I thought 'ooh great a chance to meet other like-minded people near to where I live'. But the more I read about the various activities on the programme of events and looked at the event 'marketing' on their website, the more disheartened I became, and the less I wanted to attend.

My initial enthusiasm was quashed by the way in which the information was conveyed - i.e. the graphics depicting a very day-glo rainbow scene and events that include such gems as circus skills and willow crafts. There was no mention of new people being welcome.

My heart sank. I sighed a big sigh.

 

The sad thing is that the organisers of this event aren't doing anything to modernise the image of vegans - they are just helping to perpetuate the stereotype that the vast majority of non-vegans have of us. That is to say that veganism is a cult and something that only off-beat, pierced tree-hugging hippies do...

Neither does their approach look to be very inclusive. I get the feeling that it will end up just being a gathering of people who all know each other. I feel that some vegans like belonging to a special 'clique'.

And if you want proof of this stereotype, in the news recently it was reported that human rights bods are looking into vegan rights in the work place - alongside (other) 'religeons' and 'lifestyle choices' etc. This quite clearly demonstrates that they think of us as belonging to something akin to a religion or cult - pagans were mentioned specifically!

Nothing could be further from the truth for me.

Don't get me wrong - I'm most definitely into peace and love and I do like a good rainbow. I even do yoga, play the guitar and I like lentils...

Many of today's modern vegans are simply ethically conscious people who are following a moral obligation to avoid harming others. We want to save animals, humans and the world - all good stuff.

I see part of my moral obligation into saving all living things to include educating and helping others to open their eyes and see the realities of a cruel and greedy corporate world that is killing them and our planet. If you want to call it a 'conversion' mission then that's fine, because in a way, it is.

But until the image of veganism is well and truly dragged into the 21st century I'm really worried that this will never happen. Elements of it, and consequently the perception of it, are stuck in a hideous time warp to the music of 'Hair'.

If we want to change the world we have to move forward and embrace a new style of advertising what we do, how we do it and why.

We have to encourage others to want to know more and embrace them with open arms - not set up cosy little vegan-only gatherings. Lovely though I'm sure they are, learning circus skills, playing panpipes, growing dreadlocks and learning how to crochet with kale while singing kumbyah are not the way forward.

The image of veganism has to undergo a radical overhaul. We need to be on trend, cool and happening - creating a buzz that makes people notice us in a way they never did before.

People are always shocked when David and I say we are vegan. Why? well probably because we seem so 'normal'! And that's my point exactly.

So lets dispel the myths, and become modern day ambassadors for a better life, for us all.

Chantal xx

p.s. Hi 5 to those vegans out there who are doing some amazing contemporary things (the Internet does feature some modern vegan cuisine, fashion conscious clothing and cruelty-free products that actually work - all presented in a MODERN and attractive way).