As you know, I've been playing with elevator pitches of late, and I've concluded that I may need as many pitches as there are circumstances, snort. And while I still like the last one I came up with, I'm thinking now that it's just too general. What I really want to convey right away is the WHO of my concern, so I've decided that I'm vegan because I don't want to support animal cruelty might just be more on the mark.
Obviously, as a vegan, I don't support animal use either, but since other vegans aren't going to be asking me why I'm vegan, I need to tailor the message to the audience. So, depending on whom I'm speaking to, I want a variety of pitches handy but with the focus being on other beings rather than health or environment. Therefore, future pitches might include:
- I'm vegan because I don't believe in violence
- I'm vegan because I don't want to support animal cruelty
- I'm vegan because I don't want to contribute to animal exploitation
- I'm vegan because I believe in justice for all beings
- I'm vegan because it's the right thing to do
- I'm vegan because it's the Christian thing to do
(when speaking to Christians for example) - I'm vegan because... What about you? What pitches do you use or prefer?
- I'm vegan because I can't NOT be vegan (Tom's line in comment below -- thanks!)
That cartoon is cute. :) ... For me it's all about the fact that I love and feel connected to our fellow creatures too much to participate in hurting them in any way.
I like the justice thingee...but mostly I like the who notion. :-) All of these are good.
This is a great project! It's not an easy thing to summarize. The problem with the first four suggestions, I think, is that non-vegans don't think they believe in violence, or animal cruelty, or contribute to exploitation; they also are likely to believe in justice. "Right thing to do" and "Christian thing to do" will only raise most people's defenses, which is fine, but it won't win any sympathy or converts. Sorry. I'm having a bad day today :-[
I do like the double meaning of Lee Hall's Twitter tagline, which is a kind of pitch: "I'm vegan for life."
The only tagline I've come up with myself is an adaptation of what I've heard some writers say about writing—they "can't not write"—"I can't not be vegan." But that's not a pitch, only a statement. When asked directly why I'm vegan, which almost never happens, I usually say "I'm vegan for the animals."
Just thought of something about this post which underlines the need for carrying around pamphlets. Now of course, people like the family member of mine I've told you about wouldn't be moved, but then again people like them don't ask or care why someone is vegan. If someone cares enough to ask, it might be good to have a pamphlet or some kind of handout showing and explaining (in as much detail but without being long because most people won't read something long) the cruelty inherent in farming, research, circuses, fashion (again, too many and they won't stick with reading/looking at it all) But something like that.
I'm not sure how many people who ask (I have never been asked why by anyone other than one person I'm back in touch with after years of losing track) "why" really care and don't have a preconceived notion and are already mentally arguing in their mind as they ask. But I do think that our fellow animals have more power to persuade than we do when given the chance and the voice to do so.
I've told the people in my family and the few friends I have "why" I'm vegan even though they didn't ask, but strangers here never ask why. And it's like I'd mentioned before, here it's generally given that it's an "animal rights" decision. It's slowly also being seen as a diet decision, though. :(
Yeah, I couldn't believe it yesterday morning when I was thinking about this post of yours and was like "DUH!". Even though no one here asks why, I could still have some (from PETA probably, but I can also check the Tierschutz) and leave them in public places and also if by chance one day anyone asks "why", I can have something ready.
Since I 'became' vegan, I've always believed that our fellow creatures who suffer so much because of us humans are their own best spokespersons, but they don't get the chance to speak most of the time without our help. Thanks for bringing up this great topic!
I also try never to enter any public space without my loaded "arsenal" of pamphlets. It's a must have accessory - preferably in a see-through bag! :)
I don't get asked often either why I'm vegan - even when I wear the "ask me why" tee. But I get my foot in any which way I can. For instance if these folks have a dog or cat around, I'll lavish some attention on their fur-companions and then say something like "It always makes me sad when I think about how wonderful we treat our pets and how sorry the lives of other animals are". Of course then they want to know what I mean --- And so there's my in.
Sometimes it's diet or health related... Or the environment - There's good reason to be vegan there too. And sometimes, it's just someone who seems to enjoy experimenting with different cuisine --- Someone who just loves to cook. I'll mention seitan or quinoa and that perks their interest to try new a new dish. It all depends. And yes... Even as a non-theist I pitch the Christian values too - Kindness is nondenominational and universal isn't it?
But... Getting back to your list. The top reason of mine is the first in your group. I don't believe in violence. But there is the caveat of "unjustifiable" violence or preventable violence. I adamantly reject using force on others when there are ways it can be avoided. Trouble is in our culture very few fully realize the violence and harm on their plates... They make it so easy to disguise it.
Keep at your pitching and re-thinking better methods of advocacy. It all matters. ;)