Mocking or Knowingly Inaccurate Making-Fun?

by Stephanie Ernst · 2009-05-18 14:36:00 UTC
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Among the things that get on my nerves is the habit of so many "mainstream" greens to mock and stereotype animal rights advocates and vegans rather than do the annoying thing--you know, be adults and engage in actual, meaningful thought, conversation, and investigation or simply be halfway respectful rather than patronizing.

In a post on message wear at Green Daily today, this is how "animal rights people" and their attire are described:

Easy to spot, with a can of red paint, a worn 'meat is murder' t-shirt and a necklace that says 'Vegan' from the talented jewelers of PETA.

You tell me--am I just so fed up by the patronizing, stereotyping, and mocking that I see them even where they don't exist? Have I been worn down by sneering remarks enough that I don't see humor where maybe others can or do see gentle poking-fun? When I read the post, this is what I saw: The description of people concerned with endangered animals (the author counts herself among them)? Respectful. The description of people concerned with human rights? Respectful. Environmentalists?  Playful but still respectful. Animal rights advocates? Mocking (and stupidly inaccurate, beyond "vegan" message wear).

Your thoughts, fellow vegans?

Stephanie Ernst wrote the original Animal Rights blog at Change.org until December 2009. She can now be found at Animal Rights & AntiOppression.
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