Why do people assume that since I am a vegan that I am a liberal?

Question

check out all these rude answer I got:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Apc071cQeOxngNiIWCatmqHsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071024075502AAXIHAO

Answer 1

Many vegans tend to be liberal--or maybe the most vocal of us are. But there are worse things than being a liberal--such as being a conservative without a conscience.

As the other posters have pointed out, many of the issues that go along with veganism--compassion for animals, concern for the environment, concern for the workers in the meat/dairy industry, public health issues, etc.--tend to be causes championed by liberals and reviled by conservatives. And many conservative politicians are in the pockets of corporations who would feed us garbage if they could get a profit from it.

I know full well there are conservative vegans; I just have to keep it from slipping to the back of my mind when I'm around them.

Answer 2

I think that is just a stereotype that happens to be mostly true. Usually, any "causes" that have to do with compassion, such as rights/protections for immigrants, the homeless, the working poor, children, minorities, etc. (especially if it involves giving money to that cause), are typically supported by people on the political left.

In addition, caring about the environment, which used to be a big conservative issue, now also falls within the realm of a liberal stance.

Unless you really have something against liberals, I wouldn't get too offended about this. You can just file this under "ignorant" like all of the other vegan myths/stereotypes that omnis like to throw out there.

Answer 3

Actually, the only two answers which mentioned the word "liberal" were real answers. Yeah, you got plenty of rude answers, but not necessarily because people were assuming you were liberal. The people who suggested Cal and Colorado had a point: Berkeley and Boulder are both liberal communities, which may or may not suit you in other ways, but would definitely make it easier to survive as a vegan. (I'd add the suggestion that you look into the University of Washington - we could use the talent and Seattle is a great place to be vegan.)

Answer 4

I think it's generally the case that vegans are liberal since being a vegan is usually as much of a political stance as it is a dietary one. Most vegans don't just restrict eating animals, but are aware of the environmental and ethical impacts of the meat/dairy industries. Generally it's less "liberal" political parties who receive support from - and champion - the meat/dairy industries despite the mistreatment of animals and the mismanagement of environmental resources.

The idea that vegans hold more liberal standpoints is also assumed because the political alliances you make when you start caring about animals, the environment and your heath often align you with more liberal politics whether you are aware of it or not. For you, this might be a case of politics making "strange bedfellows," but either way, being a vegan shouldn't restrict you from being a good citizen of the world - which, I think, you are being if you're a vegan - since issues of the environment, health and ethics SHOULDN'T be associated with one political party/stance over another.

Answer 5

That is awful. Those people are your classic stereotypical ignorant football players. Vegans/ vegetarians like us are unfortunately often stereotyped to be liberal, especially those doing it for animal rights reasons as opposed to health reasons. Friends and other people sometimes tease me (jokingly) "Oh, but why do you eat plants then? They are living things too!" Stuff like that. Being vegan is one of the best things you can possibly do for your body (provided that you get enough protein) Don't let them get to you, be proud to be vegan!

Answer 6

Insecure people like that go to these venues, mainly because they are surrounded by like minded insecure people. They feel they are part of a "Brotherhood". They not dare to be ousted, in fear of rejection. You are beyond that. You are in it for the animals and for your health. Let them flame away. In the end, you are the big winner. Almost half of those pond scums will end up in the ER for open heart surgery or cancer treatment sooner than later.

Answer 7

i might could desire to assert definite, as i'm one. i'm not a hippie, nor a faux hippie (in spite of that's), nor an activist (i'm guessing you advise the style who wooden outdoors McPuke, throw paint on fur coats, and launch cattle - not my cup of tea, device.), nor do I *interfere* on what weight-help plan a individual could desire to consume - I in straightforward terms try this once *invited* to - i.e. somebody asks a question in right here, and that they've a weight-help plan that could terrific be defined as suicidal, and that they want somebody to inform them what they *could desire to* be ingesting with a view to be healthful.

Answer 8

Most American Football fans are ignorant and live in the tiny world that they create.

You are the exception and all of those responses are just a taste of what you'll have to put up with from morons in the future.