by photostock
Dear VM Readers,
This week on Vegan Mainstream we are talking about subcultures, so I wanted to ask you, what vegan camp(s) do you consider yourself a member of? I am including a handful of vegan subcultures below. The following are, of course, lump subcultures. Vegans are people too, and many of us could fit into several of these subcultures, and more! I consider myself a pop vegan, peace lover and a foodie.
Pop Vegan—Coined by vegan chef Ayinde Howell, pop vegans are popping up in droves as veganism is becoming more mainstream. Pop vegans are a mash-up of people involved in pop culture—interested in art, politics, science, music and everything in between—who also happen to be vegan. As Howell defines the pop vegan on his vegan culture site, iEatGrass.com; “The Pop-Vegan folks are people who actively try to reduce their carbon footprint because they can see and understand how that simple act has a trickle down effect on how we treat the species we dominate… Some of us just really like vegetables. No, we don’t all wear hemp skirts, and smell like patchouli; we believe in community, hanging out with good people, eating great food, listening to good music, seeing great films. We believe in being the change, feeding the revolution and challenging ideas. All with tongue firmly planted in cheek.”
The Vegan Activist—These vegans are working hard to make moves, push laws against animal cruelty, and shine the spotlight on the truth about our country’s relationship with our food. Often viewed as extreme, there is no doubt that vegan activist organizations—the mother of all being PETA—get things done.
The Peace Loving Vegan—Different than the vegan activist, these crunchy-granola types are more laid back, and while their views are often in line with the vegan activist, they are more likely to be found volunteering at a shelter than picketing for PETA.
The Vegan Foodie—No one can deny that vegans love to eat. Though vegan fare sometimes gets a bad rap for being bland, vegan gourmands are popping up all over the place to disprove this myth. Turning tricks with tempeh and putting an end to that all-we-eat-is-lettuce nonsense, vegan foodies open restaurants, start food blogs, publish cookbooks and spend tons of time photographing their food. Google “gourmet vegan” to get a sampling of what’s out there.
Do you consider yourself to be a part of a vegan subculture? Which one? What other vegan subcultures do you identify? Share your ideas, expand on mine, or challenge me to a (non-violent!) duel. Go for it.
Be well,
Zoe Eisenberg
