The World’s Outraged by a Stolen Wombat… So Why Aren’t the Vegans Rejoicing?
Clare Mann
Vegan Psychologist | Vystopia Transformation Coach | Author of Vystopia |Communications Trainer Animal Protection
Last week, two accounts of animal cruelty went viral and the online global response was, “This is horrible. It must be stopped right away!”
The two accounts I refer to are:
It is very heartening to see the outrage by people across the globe. In Australia, petitions have been raised to demand Sam Jones never be allowed to enter Australia again, with the slogan, “Keep your hands off our wildlife” supported by the Prime Minister.
The UK Daily Mirror aired footage collected by The Animal Justice Project of heinous cruelty to cows and calves at a farm housing 2,000 animals.
The public are horrified and saying this must be stopped.
So why aren’t vegans rejoicing that the masses appear to be concerned? Why don’t we feel there is hope that the world is waking up?
Surely our vystopia is alleviated a bit? However, for many, it seems to have been accentuated.
Many vegans are redirecting their own outrage onto those around them, pointing out that they’re financing these industries with their lifestyle choices.
Many seize the opportunity to build on the public outrage and declare to everyone they can, “You honestly think this is unusual? This happens every day on a factory farm.”
Maybe punching and kicking isn’t the norm in smaller organic farms, but normal farming practices prevail, albeit less efficiently done.
Vegans across the board deeply desire that the recent outrage, empathy and compassion be extended to the treatment of all animals, not just some deemed worthy of our concern.
So how do we get people to look further into how this abuse exists and is related to their own choices?
Many think, “Perhaps if we just share more footage, the concerned public will make the connection.”
We understandably might take every opportunity to highlight the violation of the mother-baby bond in animal agriculture. Some vegans try to tug at the heart-strings and consciences of the public with experiences closer to home. They share what happens to mothers and babies when someone purchases a designer or ‘breed of choice’ dog or cat for a companion.
Do these strategies work?
For some people, seeing graphic footage or hearing accounts is enough for them to change their behaviour. Yet for most, behaviour change is more complex. People have strong psychic defences to avoid unnecessary pain. They do what they can to move way from pain and towards pleasure.
So hearing that their government is acting to stop cruelty that comes into the public eye is enough for them to look no further.
Powerful social, personal and cultural myths keep a person conforming to the norm, just demanding better animal welfare standards.
What can the vegan do if blaming, shaming and alarming others isn’t working?
There is nothing wrong with sharing graphic footage in videos or documentaries. After all, increasing awareness through information is essential. However, if it is done to blame, shame or simply alarm a person into changing, it rarely works.
As we know, if facts alone were enough, everyone would have to be vegan. Instead, those you are advocating to will simply shoot the messenger and blame vegans for imposing their values on them.
Their resistance is not because they condone animal cruelty. After all, we see the outrage in public exposés. It’s because they do disagree with animal cruelty and yet—at some unconscious level (kept at bay until someone points it out)—they know their actions are out of alignment with their beliefs and values.
We must learn to share facts in a way that invite others to discover what’s being kept from them.
Suggestions to Nudge People to Connect the Dots
I believe the best way to advocate about difficult issues is face to face, remembering that both parties are emotional and outraged by what they’ve just seen. Our job is to fan the flames of that empathy and concern, rather than shaming others for their wilful ignorance.
Here are some suggestions:
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To discover more about human behaviour and resistance, check out “Myths of Choice: Why People Won’t Change and What You Can Do About It” (Clare Mann 2019) https://veganpsychologist.com