Hello Nexus -

I have in the last few years educated myself and shifted from a reluctant DSA member to what I think is a anarchist communist perspective, but still perfecting my niche and gaining my footing with political and social groups.

I notice this has meant some changes in relation to my Veganism and how it is perceived by others. I still have friends and family that are more or less mainstream USA liberals. I notice they tend to make a big point of my Veganism and go out of their way to tell others to accommodate me, which at times is nice but is mostly superfluous. Reflecting on this, I suppose its because Veganism is seen through a spectrum of permissiveness and plurality that the market can (literally) feed.

Now I’m wondering if I have been stuck in that same pluralistic lens with my own expression of this belief set. I find myself reexamining the toothlessness of my Veganism. For me, Veganism started as a health and environmental act, but as I learned more has turned into an ethical obligation. I have a policy of not introducing it as an ethical stance unless directly questioned or challenged about it, and I have never been evangelical about it.

But as I think about this, I question why I am less willing to stick my neck out for this very important idea and if I’m seeking a shield of conformity or trapped in the acceptable frame of how Veganism is curtailed by my culture. I’m curious if others here have been through similar experiences and how your thinking about Veganism has evolved with your politics and I’m hoping to learn a productive path forward.