Lesley's Discrimination Book

[Guest guest]

vegan-network, " spacevegan " <rob@z...> wrote:

 

I'm sorry to have to say that I gave up on the idea of the book, when

only Jerry wrote about his experiences, and all the others who had

promised their stories had still written nothing after over 6 months!

I had a few promises from people (from various viewpoints, not only

vegans), but their promises clearly meant nothing.

 

I had had promises of their stories from a pro-lifer (was also

seeking a pro-choice activist for balance, but getting nowhere), a

peace campaigner, even an ex-National Front member who was still

suffering discrimination many years afterwards, even since changing

his views, although he wanted to do it in interview form (this would

have been more work for me and I was unsure how to do it).

Most of the people I found were Americans.

 

I really wanted to find the man who was fired for being on the Mayday

demo last year, and I wanted Sarah Friday's story too (fired as a

train driver for her trade union activities on safety issues,

supported by the RMT).

 

I was keen to have people of widely varying views, certainly not only

those whose views agreed with mine! I had a very open mind on this,

and the fact that an ex-NF person trusted me enough to exchange email

with me seemed very promising, considering I have never had any

sympathies at all with the NF.

 

I was not plannning to actually write the book myself (apart from a

short introduction chapter and my own experience in nurse training),

I just planned to compile various people's experiences of workplace

discrimination, where that discrimination was based on their

beliefs/activism, even though they did their job properly and didn't

let their beliefs affect the work situation.

 

Sorry I had to abandon it, but I was fighting a losing battle since

only myself and Jerry actually wrote anything of our experiences.

About 5 or 6 stories (which it initially looked like we might

achieve) would have done for a smallish project, but preferably 10-12

would have been ideal to ensure greater diversity. In the end I lost

faith in all the others who had promised their stories and instead

arranged Jerry's visit and talks.

 

How did you hear of my book idea? I was asking for help with it about

a year ago, but by the end of last year I had decided it was not

likely to happen.

 

> I've heard that since they were taken over by Nando's Chicken,

Cranks

> now has a policy of not employing vegans. I know several vegans and

> vegetarians who left their employment in disgust at this and other

> changes that were brought in.

>

> Would this be useful for your book?

 

The Grauniad or Independent may be interested, I certainly believe

this deserves some publicity.

I'm quite surprised that no-one has sued using the Human Rights Act.

 

> If so I could try to track down the people involved, and maybe

other

> people on the list know of other?

 

I think it would be interesting.

Please let us know how you get on and if I can help in any way.

 

Lesley

 

> --

> Rob

[Guest guest]

vegan-network, " Lesley Dove " <100706.3632@c...> wrote:

>

> How did you hear of my book idea? I was asking for help with it

about

> a year ago, but by the end of last year I had decided it was not

> likely to happen.

>

D'oh! I remember it was discussed on Wednesday, when Jerry brought it

up! I'd almost forgotten this was my original plan when I contacted

Jerry, but it turned into his lecture tour.

 

Lesley