Something a little different…

It’s no secret that I belong to a few South African vegan Facebook groups. Whilst these groups have been the most amazing source of inspiration and motivation, they have also led to a lot of frustration and irritation. One would ASSUME that if COMPASSION towards animals was the main goal then all vegans would be compassionate, at least towards each other. This is sadly not always the case. Instead of letting it upset me, I brush it off and move on and TRY (being the operative word) not to get involved in silly online disputes. I find that people’s opinions are far more harsh from behind a computer screen anyway.

So for FUN, I decided to create (reenact?) what I deem a typical Facebook post on a typical day:

SALLY SAUSAGE: Hi guys! Thank you SO MUCH for letting me be in the group! I’m vegetarian, but I’m considering going vegan but I still have so much to learn! I just wanted to share this picture with you! Isn’t it amazing!!? I can’t believe these are vegan!?I’m so excited. Quick question: is bread vegan?

FILET MINYON: Where did you get them? (no “please”)

SALLY SAUSAGE: From Woolworths in Kaksonderend!

JED KNIGHT: Why would you shop at Woolworths!?!?! I never shop at Woolworths – they use too much plastic! (not the point of the post)

BIN SUPARMAN: Welcome to the group Sally! We are so pleased to have you! Congrats on the awesome find, and yes – bread is vegan.

JURASSIC PARQ: YES!!!! Bread is vegan (even though someone has already answered it)

BUD LIGHT: Are you still vegetarian???? Maybe you should be in a transitioning group. Try Group X.

MACDONALED BERGER: BWAHAHAA. Are you serious? Bread is vegan. (even though it’s been answered twice)

SALLY SAUSAGE: I’m sorry I really didn’t know.

TAHRA DACTYL: Urgh! Hate those biscuits. I prefer Brand Y.

DYL PICKLE: PALM OIL IS NOT VEGAN. FFS.

SALLY SAUSAGE: Why isn’t it vegan?

LORD BRAIN: Google it! Palm Oil is DEFINITELY not vegan.

CHRIS P. BACON: We’re trading dairy for diabetes? SO much sugar though.

DR. JOELLE ROLLO-KOSTER: I sell homemade biscuits – much healthier – try my Website A

GOWEN GETER: Bread is vegan. Just Google it. FFS (or maybe you should read that it’s been answered three times already)

SUE H. YOO: Yes Sweetie, Bread is Vegan xx (5th time)

TYRANNOSAURUS REX MULLINS: Post a pic of the ingredients. (“please”??)

MISTER LOVE: Where did you get these from? (read above…)

DONALD DUCK: These don’t taste great. (very useful. thank you)

DR. KEN HURT: Isn’t there palm oil in these?

(AT THIS POINT SALLY SAUSAGE HAS LEFT THE GROUP – BUT NO ONE NOTICES. SALLY SAUSAGE decided that vegans are mean people – and veganism as a lifestyle choice is hard enough for her – but to feel attacked is worse. So she’ll stick to being vegetarian and not tell anyone.)

ALMA L. KNACK: I’m selling my raw vegan version at Market C this weekend!

BROCK LEE: It says MAY CONTAIN MILK – and I know someone who works at the factory who says it definitely does.

SMASHER MCIRONCOCK: Eish! Palm Oil. Not vegan.

SHAM: Is there palm oil in these?

LOONEY WARDE: Yes.

HARDY-HARR: I need a good vomit emoticon for this.

BEAR TRAPP: I would never eat that crap

PHOEBE CHOI: The company that makes this is responsible for the destruction of the Amazon!

LOONEY WARDE: Exactly! Why are we supporting these kinds of companies!?!?!

BEAR TRAPP: Cos people have no fucking clue.

JUDY SWALLOWS: I make my own – here is a link to the recipe on my blog… Link http://www.D.com

WANG LIQUIN: Aren’t vegans supposed to be HEALTHY? Why would you want to put this in your body?

SUE H. YOO: She is just sharing what she found @Sally – ignore the hate.

WANG LIQUIN: I’m entitled to my own opinion @Sue!

SUE H. YOO: @Wang I’m not going to fight with you.

WANG LIQUIN: Thought so!

SUE H. YOO: WTF is THAT supposed to mean?

ADMIN: Can I please remind the group to keep things civil.

BEN DOVER: Thank you @Admin.

STEF CRAPS: Palm Oil?

DIXIE NORMOUS: It doesn’t state whether the palm oil is ethically sourced.

JACK GOFF: Is this a joke? The whole bread thing. Lol.

JUSTIN SIDER: Some breads aren’t vegan though!!!

WENDY WACKO: I’m gluten intolerant! Can’t have these. (thank you for sharing)

BROWNIE SHYTLES: Is Brand X okay for vegans?

DICK POUND: I never buy Brand X!

PETER BONERZ: SO expensive *sad face*

HEATH COCKBURN: Guys! This is a personal choice! (for Sally who has left the group long ago)

B. J. COBBLEDICK: Still a vegeterian? That’s like giving up smoking but still being an occasional smoker! If you’re an occasional smoker you’re still a smoker! I’ll stick to just vegan thanks.

MIKE WEINER: Is ALL palm oil unethically sourced?

THEA BEAVER: @Sally – make sure you take a B12 supplement!

WOODY HELD: Everyone (vegan or not) should be taking a B12.

(That evening we all go to bed wishing that EVERYONE in the world would become vegan because the world would be a far better place. We decide that tomorrow – we’re going to do something to convince the world to become vegan and feel great about it.)

___________

I could go on forever. You get my point. You want to know the scary part. These comments are all REAL comments from REAL people (whose names have been changed). YES – EVERYONE is entitled to his or her own opinion, but since when was it appropriate to stop saying “please” or “thank you” or just to generally treat people with COMPASSION.

Next time you start typing a response on a Facebook post, make sure that you know what effect you are going to have on another person. We try to teach empathy towards the animal kingdom, but can hardly treat our own kind with patience and respect. God help us all.

Xx

I thought it might be nice to add this…

RESPONSES to this Blog Post:

14/10 13:48PM: “Veganism is about the animals, there is no obligation to be nice to groups of humans just because one is vegan. In fact, sometimes being “nice” to groups of humans just for the sake of it can be detrimental to the animal cause. This just smells like intersectional apologist bullshit to me.”

14/10 15:05PM: “lmfao i started reading this steaming pile of shit and my first thought was legit to post it in this group for everyone to laugh at the apologist 🙃“

14/10 15:20PM: “What the fuck does this mean??”

14/10 15:21PM: “If you don’t like it here then gtfo.”

See what I mean? xx

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