The "V" Word/Label

dvmarie · Jun 20, 2003

I believe its only human to put value on labels. Many find comfort in identifying with a certain group (I am a Buddhist, Single Parent, Dead-Head, Animal Welfare Advocate, MWR Employee, etc.). Labels help define who we are. 
Then theres the V label.. 
I think theres a problem because it becomes the subject of debate so often. 
Within VEGAN there are various levels of commitment. 
The so called Vegan Police will say 
you arent a Vegan if you eat a trace amount of gelatin, D3, casein, etc. etc. You arent as pure as us so you cant call yourself a Vegan. 
Okay, if can't call yourself a Vegan what can you call yourself then? 
VEGETARIAN? 
I think most people who aim towards Veganism dont like just being considered a Vegetarian. Probably because they feel their commitment is greater than that. Also there is the wide-spread belief in the omni world that all Vegetarians drink milk, eat eggs, and sometimes eat poultry and fish. (NOTHING wrong with being Lacto/Ovo Vegetarian!!! Anyone who doesnt consume Flesh deserves the utmost respect and admiration!) 
STRICT VEGETARIAN? 
The name is kind of long and then you will be answering a bunch of questions about what strict means. To me STRICT sounds kind of negative 
ALMOST-VEGAN? SEMI-VEGAN? PARTIAL-VEGAN? 
These seem to imply lesser than which is a negative thing. I mean just getting close to Veganism is a HUGE help to the animals and environment.to live this way and then be considered LESSER THAN? Doesnt seem fair. 
I propose we try and find a LABEL to help the folks out who fall into the ALMOST category. 
Those people who AT A MINIMUM do not eat meat, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy and in addition. to the best of their ability, avoid all other animal products as well (honey, casein, gelatin, D3, etc. etc.). Best of their ability meaning according to their individual circumstances (be it financial, ethical priorities, etc.) leaving a little squirming room to allow more people the ability to live in this Veg*n world of ours <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
My suggestion would be the label: DemiVegan 
Demi : in the dictionary says part partly to some degree 
This, in my opinion rolls off the tongue better than Strict Vegetarian and doesnt sound as negative as Semi-Vegan or Almost-Vegan. 
Besides it reminds me of DemiGod (mythological semidivine being) <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
Anyone else think that an additional label would be a good idea? 
Anyone have any suggestions of what would be a good label? 
Maybe, if enough people thought an additional label is warranted, we could get a list of potentials and then we could do a Poll and vote. 
I dunnothe label thing is just a problem in my opinion. Its making otherwise OUTSTANDING veggies feel insecure and thats just not good. 
<edited to include fish/seafood into the "description" >

GhostUser · Jun 20, 2003

DemiVegan sounds good. I wouldn't use it because I am a strait up vegan, but it sounds terribly exciting.

Oatmeal · Jun 20, 2003

Screw the police. You're vegan in my book. 
Nice rant though! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">

Muzicfan · Jun 20, 2003

I am vegetarian.. and proud of it.. haha 
But I do not drink milk, use eggs ... well I have some cheese I am using up, but after that, I am buying the soy cheese. I dont think I could be vegan, because I use gelatin with my medication ect. And I dont think I could live my life off of labels all the time. I get dizzy reading the sides of boxes now. 
So, can I be demi-vegan.. if I pretty much live the lifestyle but dont stress over geletin ect.

dvmarie · Jun 20, 2003

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally posted by Oatmeal Screw the police. You're vegan in my book. </div>
</div>
 
Hahaha! Thanks Oatmeal <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
I wasn't really referring to me in particular. I usually just say I'm Vegetarian and let people think what they will - or I also refer to myself as a VEGGIE (and let imaginations run wild). 
I'm bringing it up because the issue comes up so often - and it just never seems to get resolved.

majake · Jun 20, 2003

do demivegans eat fish?

bethanie · Jun 20, 2003

Thanks for the rant dvmarie. I once tried to tell someone I was a 'complete vegetarian' as I had been getting some quizical looks calling myself vegan (not everyone knows what that means)...and the lady looked at me and said, "Oh, you mean a vegan." 
Sigh...I can't win. Ah well. 
B

Kurmudgeon · Jun 20, 2003

I think Wishy-Washy Vegan sounds like a good label for some vegans. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/wink3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">

bethanie · Jun 20, 2003

I wouldn't think they would majake. Isn't a 'fish eating vegitarian' called a peskatarian? I think that's the official word. 
I think demivegan (I may take to calling myself that), is someone who really aspires to veganism, but is afraid of the vegan police because they occasionally eat a soy cheese which they didn't realize had casein in it. 
Ack...ACK ACK ACK. Sorry, hairball. 
B

bethanie · Jun 20, 2003

Hello, my name is Bethanie and I'm a wishy-washy vegan. 
Sorry Kurmudgeon, I'm going to have to go with demi-vegan...it sounds sexier. Perhaps reminiscent of the demi-cup bra.

GhostUser · Jun 20, 2003

Anytime I hear the word "demi" I think of the bra. 
Yup, go for that one. Much sexier.

stonecrest · Jun 20, 2003

i tell people i'm an uber-vegetarian. 
it's silly to get in a debate about who is vegan and who is not because, technically, 99.9% of us aren't vegan anyway. the houses we live in, the cars/bikes we use, the books we read - they all have animal products. veganism is more of a goal than an attribute, i think.

Kurmudgeon · Jun 20, 2003

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally posted by stonecrest 99.9% of us aren't vegan anyway</div>
</div>
 
Source please. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">

stonecrest · Jun 20, 2003

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally posted by Kurmudgeon Source please. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"></div>
</div>
 
pff.. i don't give sources to anyone that comes up with "wishy washy vegans" hehe

GhostUser · Jun 20, 2003

Stonecrest 1 
Kurmudgeon 0

Muzicfan · Jun 20, 2003

hahahahahaha

dvmarie · Jun 20, 2003

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally posted by majake do demivegans eat fish?</div>
</div>
 
Thanks for picking up on that Majake. I edited my original message (I always think of meat as all flesh - but many people don't).

GhostUser · Jun 20, 2003

Well, as a vegan (not an aspiring vegan or wishy washy vegan or demi-vegan), I think if you are not a vegan, you should be fine being called what you are- a vegetarian. 
When I have not been a vegan, I referred to myself as a vegetarian. Actually, I often still do. 
If someone wants to be a vegan so badly, they should just BE ONE.

Kurmudgeon · Jun 20, 2003

What about Barely Omnivore?

Muzicfan · Jun 20, 2003

hahaha

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