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
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)
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" >
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

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)

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" >