I Am Not a Vegan
Written by LaTara Ham-Ying on January 28, 2008 at January 28th, 2008
Ok so I have had a hard time participating in many vegan forums. You see I don’t take kindly to finger pointing and judging and this is what you find a lot of in vegan forums.
Over the weekend I posted to a forum I joined a long time ago. I had hesitated for the very reason I am about to explain.
Here is what I wrote:
“Hello I am LaTara Ham-Ying, a vegan cooking and natural living coach. I have been vegan for 5 years but I have been a cook for over 30 years. I live in IL with my husband who has been vegan for over 20 years and our two boys who are also vegan.
I must say that my reasons for becoming vegan were strictly dietary. I am not against animal activism, I just did not become one for that reason. I think that the vegan diet is one of the healthiest diets you can be one for optimum health.
I am overweight and I know that it was because of years of fattening food, meats, and oh the dreaded dairy. But I must admit I do miss cheese at times.
I have been losing my weight steadily since becoming serious about being vegan.
I hope to be here as often as I can. Though with my lifestyle of homeschooling, working from home, and ministry it will be hard to get here on a regular basis.
Hope to get to know some of you better.”
I received a response from the Admin that told me I was no a vegan. Now I am not so angry about that. I am angry because of the reason they gave. The person stated that since being a vegan is about more than diet that from a point of view that he deemed as “logical”, it is impossible to become vegan just for dietary reasons but that is possible to eat vegan. Ok, does that make sense to you. He then informed that I was welcome to be a part of the forum because people who eat vegan foods but are not vegan, are welcome.
My response:
“Every definition I have read for vegan states and I am paraphrasing here - “A person who eats no animal products”. There are some that add “do not use vegan products”.
The bottom line is that I do eat vegan and if you choose not to call me vegan, then oh well. I am not sure why you even mentioned what you did. It was a bit uncalled for.
This is the reason why I don’t participate in many vegan forums because it is worrisome to me to have to prove myself and the judging pointing fingers thing is simply ridiculous to me.”
Thank you anyway for your welcome… . You may now remove me from this group… ”
I am a bit out of sorts because this is such a silly thing to me. I really don’t care to be labeled a vegan if it means I have to be added to a list of people who judge and carry on in this way.
Vegan Family Living is all about teaching people how to transition to a vegan way of life with an emphasis on food. You know why? Because food is what we eat to live. Without it we would have no life.
Food is a direct link to good or bad health, fat or fit, diseased or not diseased, alive or dead.
So am I vegan…YEP!
It is not who I am, but it is surely a huge part of my life and daily existence. Just because I eat honey, don’t judge people who eat meat or carry a sign that says “Animals have right” (which they do) does not mean I am not a vegan.
So I leave the forum and have yet one more reason why I don’t do vegan forums. It is just not worth the expended time for me.
What do you think? Am I a vegan?
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January 28th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Girl you know you are a Vegan!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 28th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Goodness. I didn’t know that there were those who think you have to be an animal activist in order to call yourself a Vegan. I’ve had friends who were vegetarian or vegan for various reasons. One good friend doesn’t believe in killing animals. One good friend simply made her choice for dietary reasons. I never thought of either of them as “official” or “non-official” based on what the catalyst was for their lifestyle choice. It’s too bad we humans often have a tendency to want to exclude rather than include, isn’t it? I’m sorry you went through that. Really.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
LaTara, ABSOLUTELY!!!! It’s about your intentions and practically speaking, it makes sense to me to say that you are vegan. It’s about what you eat or not. You don’t eat food with animal by-products (right?)…I don’t see why anyone would label that anything other than vegan.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Of course you are a vegan!!
You are much better off not belonging to that forum, that’s for sure!
Yes, I find this with “raw food” enthusiasts, also — I think it is important to have lots and lots of raw foods, but when it becomes 100% of your diet, it can become fanatical.
You are providing an excellent service, LaTara, and definitely you ARE a Vegan!!!
Diana
January 28th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
That is the silliest thing I’ve ever heard. Vegans and vegetarians are some of the most militant people I’ve ever come across. If you’re not a vegan, I don’t know who is.
I wouldn’t sweat it, though. Just continue doing what you do.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
You had a great response, LaTara! There is no need to be associated with such a judgemental group and it’s really a shame they have to be that way. It shouldn’t matter WHY you are vegan, you should be sharing your experiences, food knowledge and recipes. Take the high road and forget about the forum
January 28th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
You know who you are, and No! most vegans are not skinny and appear to be malnourished I am 200+ lbs.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Well, as you have taught me many times, “It is what it is!” And you are A VEGAN! It is unbelievable how people make up their own definition of a label that has a pure and simple explanation. It is a shame how judgemental people can be…and often leaders of groups that make the others (who are good) look very bad.
Girl, you know I am behind you 100%! I know that you are a true blue vegan and strive to be one every day! Here is to your health, your ministry and vegan family living! And to all of those who follow what you have to give!
January 29th, 2008 at 3:17 am
LaTara,
I cannot believe my eyes, LOL! So you have to be a militant vegan in order to be considered vegan?
Keep on Keeping on my sister, all that you do is vegan. They are always those that will have something to say good or bad, but when you actually have a vegan judging another vegan, it just leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.
Keep on doing what you do, it only gets better;-). I am behind you and wish you nothing but continued success.
January 29th, 2008 at 6:53 am
LaTara - of course you’re vegan! I’m a vegan too… and I’ve actually been blasted because I DON’T judge other people and shove my beliefs at other people… go figure LOL!!
I love animals, and that’s one reason I choose my lifestyle… but - I have good friends that are carnivores (my husband is one too!) and that’s their choice. Who am I to say what’s right or who’s better?
What you stated here is exactly why I stay away from the vegan forums. There seems to be an element of harsh judgment out there… there’s a sense of “my veganism is better than your veganism because I actually stand for something…” C’mon… do we really need to judge each other because of the choices we make around diet??
Thank you, LaTara, for having a safe haven where people can learn about being vegan without feeling like they have to commit harey carey for animal rights.
January 29th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Its sad that some people consider veganism to be an elitist club to which only the “morally superior” can belong
I like to think that eating a healthy diet in and of itself is reason enough to be vegan. Even if we were to put the health impact aside, the environmentally positive impact of the diet is astounding. There are so many good reason to adopt the vegan life style that it saddens me when I encounter people who say I am not a “good” enough vegan for some perceived lack rather than providing encouragement :/
Its better to avoid silly narrow minded people
January 29th, 2008 at 9:29 am
There is always be someone in every crowd telling you how to be a ‘real’ vegan. This should not even be a competition as to who can be the most vegan, it’s doing what you feel is right.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Hi,
if this is the thread you are talking about, and I think it is, nobody said that you were not a vegan there. They just reminded you that the word vegan covers more than diet only, which is something both the International Vegetarian Union and The Vegan Society agree in:
http://www.veganforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=413142#post413142
If you have had a hard time participating in many vegan forum, maybe you should introduce yourself in a different way next time, because frankly - there’s no need to if it gives you problems!
January 29th, 2008 at 11:59 am
No you are definitely not a vegan - you are a dietary vegan a whole different thing. I suspect I shal be labeled an extremist which would make me laugh heartily as it is so far from the truth. If this definition applies to you - then you are vegan.
A vegetarian who eats plant products only, especially one who uses no products derived from animals, as fur or leather.
this definition does not apply to you ergo you are not vegan you are a dietary vegan a whole different thing. Margy.
January 29th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Sorry but this seems to be taken waay out of context .. if you read the thread on the site (http://www.veganforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18162) , no-one ever accused you of not being vegan and you have selectively taken out bits of it to make the argument look better…
Sorry but it is the truth and yes, you are one.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Thank you to everyone whether you agreed or not. I never intended for the forum to be mentioned, which is why I did not give a direct link. I was simply ask for some feedback.
I never selectively took bits out, I just did not quote the exact words of Korn.
Those who have said I was wrong, fine but you also know the admin of the forum. I do not and when we are not in a face to face environment then words have to chosen very carefully to avoid misunderstanding.
Again I am vegan for dietary reasons only and if I save animals in the interim then I am glad to have made a difference.
February 9th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Hi, I just found your podcast and webpage. I subscribe to a number of different podcasts about veganism that come from different perspectives, and I enjoy learning about this lifestyle and hearing about others’ points of view. I think it’s too bad that that forum didn’t seem to want to see others’ perspectives and were somewhat exclusive. That’s a big problem in the world today, IMO, that so many groups are exclusive like that in so many areas (religion, politics, etc), and hopefully that will change! Thanks so much for your podcast and webpage and all your work!
February 11th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
La Tara I think that you are a nice person but you are not a vegan.You are a strict vegetarian . The definition of vegan is clear ;
Vegan [vee-gn]: Veganism denotes a philosophy and way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, nonhuman animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, nonhumans and the environment. Vegans avoid all animal produce: meat (including chicken and fish), eggs, animal milks, honey, and their derivatives.”
Veganism is not simply a Diet , it is an ethical belief system in action.
the scientifically proven
health benefits of a vegan diet have resulted in many people like yourself who follow the diet in large part but who eat honey ,wear fur ,buy leather and products tested on animals .I think that a good term for your diet is “dietary Vegan”. It is a term which clearly seperates itself from the ethics of veganism while describing your dietary habits .
There are allot of differences in the buying,eating and lifestyle habits between dietary and ethical vegans .There is a difference in fundemental values that creates in a large rift between world views. Childrearing for vegans is different than for dietary vegans . My 7 yo for example recently was stunned to learn that not all veteranians are Vegans . In his mind ALL of them would have to be ! A child raised to simply eat a veggie diet for health reasons would never come to this type of conclusion .
As an ethical vegan I was upset when you sent me a request to evaluate your new “vegan Cooking ” video. I never responded after viewing it because the recipe called for honey .Honey is not vegan. If you are going to teach ‘vegan’ cooking then you should not use honey OR you should take a sec to say “Ethical vegans do not use honey .Those of us who are strict vegetarians may ” you might also add that vegans substitute agave nectar , rice syrup or blackstrap molasses for honey .You are ,after all presenting yourself as a “Vegan Cooking Coach”
I am glad that you are a vegetarian and am happy that others are learning about the joys of a vegetarian diet as well .I am not holier than thou at all , but there IS a difference . Please respect that difference by using the term Vegan properly and with respect for the philosophy it represents.
Heck,Most of my friends are omnis
February 11th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Teresa,
Thank you for your response. Again I have always said that I am a dietary vegan. Never said anything but. I am not vegetarian because I do not eat diary - so let’s leave that one where it belongs.
If you received the video and did not respond, then so be it. The recipe was spaghetti and I do not recall honey being in the recipe. Now the book was a different story and it did have a section where I give my views on honey and I have done the research. So perhaps it was the book that you received and not the video.
Bottom line Teresa, not everyone becomes a vegan for the sake of ethical animal rights. I have many friends who are vegan because of health, as am I. However, if it helps the cause then great!
Call me ethical or unethical in my vegan eating habits. As long as I am ethical in my daily life and doing what I need to do to help others eat better, then that is what I am doing the right thing.
Again, thank you for your response and continue sharing your views.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
[...] You know over the past couple of weeks I have been inundated with comments and emails about a post I did: I Am Not a Vegan. [...]
February 25th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
What bothers me about Teresa’s comment is the fact that you thought enough of her opinion to ask her to evaluate your work (whichever it was, it doesn’t matter) and she ignored your invitation for response at that time.
She then took the time to publicly tell you what offended her about it. Why do you care what she thinks? She didn’t care enough to tell you when you approached her and asked her personal opinion privately.
Yet, she stresses the “ethical” aspects of being vegan more than once. How ethical was she in her response? Totally shot her own ethical argument in the foot and didn’t do anything to further her cause. Sad, very sad.
chele’s last blog post..By: Carrie at NaturalMomsTalkRadio
February 26th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Hi Latara,
You asked and I’ll bite. I don’t think you’re a vegan because you eat honey. But as a former vegan (holy smokes..the stoning I might be in for), nobody needs to take me seriously.
But seriously, Korn has mentioned the Vegan Society, but he/she is misrepresenting what they actually say. From their FAQ:
“A vegan is someone who tries to avoid - as far as is possible and practical - all forms of exploitation of animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. This is for the benefit of people, animals and the environment. Vegan eat a plant-based diet free from all animal products, such as meat, animal milks, eggs, honey and gelatine. They also avoid animal products like leather, wool and silk for clothing or other purposes.”
And on the difference between a vegan and a vegetarian:
“A vegan does not consume any products from animals, including milk, fish, eggs, honey, etc. Most vegans will not wear clothing from animals (wool, silk, etc) either.”
…so to those calling Latara a “vegetarian” - the only thing (if you accept the Vegan Society’s and most of other definitions, of course) that would put her back into the lowly category [sarcasm] of that is her eating honey.
The entire FAQ is here:
http://www.vegansociety.com/phpws/index.php?module=faq&FAQ_op=viewFAQs
The page Korn chose to point you to (in the 2nd post on the thread) on the Vegan Society’s website was about the society’s mission, rather their definition of vegan.
In addition, the definitions she/he chose to post a bit later right into that thread did not exclude anyone who was a vegan for health reasons. I just don’t see the evidence.
In the end, you know who you are Latara and that’s all that matters.