cultural diversity among vegans

[Guest guest]

There was a wonderful Rastafarian lady with her son at the vegan picnic in

London a week ago, who had experienced discrimination because of her vegan

ethics.

 

(Rastafarianism is not accepted as a religion in England, as it is openly

opposed to exploitation - which the government / big business doesn't

like, - and because it is not officially accepted as a religion - they can

discriminate as much as is convenient for them.)

 

It may be worth trying to contact some Rastafarian groups if you are serious

about widening cultural diversity in vegan discussion / support groups - as

veganism is so integral to Rasta beliefs and culture. Its not about skin

colour - but life experience and history and cultural identity, & a strong

feel for what is right and wrong, as well as religious faith and part of

being prepared to stay independent of the exploitation in modern society -

for the Rastafarians I have met anyway.

 

Incidentally, it was a Rastafarian called Jason (who lived on a boat near me

in London,) who first persuaded me to take veganism seriously, and realise

that dairy production is the same as the slavery and exploitation that

continues for the animals, people & environment that lives in this age.

 

Hannah

 

 

-

" Lesley Dove " <100706.3632

<vegan-network >

Monday, April 23, 2001 2:42 PM

Re: two questions ...

 

 

>

> I agree, that veganism is for all and there are vegans of varying

> skin colours and ethnic origins but the actual vegan groups do not

> tend to attract a very wide diversity from what I have seen.

> I think it's OK for John to pose the question why.

>

> Lesley

>

>

> > From where I stand an interest in classism incites it.

> > I'm from Auz, my parents were born in Kenya and England. I have

> coloured

> > eyes (brown), coloured hair (black/brown), coloured skin pigment

> (white),

> > more than average body hair (but I'm no hairy beast!). I have

> Windows 98 on

> > an overclocked pentium III, 54cm screen. I keep all my files

> organised in

> > the correct folders, so I can find everything when I need it.

> > I disagree Veganism is a white skin pigment/classist thing. You'd

> get as

> > much info from eye colour IMO.

>

>

>

>

>