John Robbins and the SUVs

John Robbins was one of the original vegan crusaders, particularly known for being the heir to the Baskin Robbins company--the ultimate in dairy. He wrote Diet for a New America, which I don't think I read; I read another book that dealt directly with dairy.

A few years ago he came out with The Food Revolution, which was essentially an update of the old book, with the new research on dairy, meat production, etc. I enjoyed the book because it had a more sensitive, kindly tone than many vegetarian rants. He admitted to having softened, not in his beliefs, but towards people, towards "the sinners" if you will. He had learned to be more understanding, more compassionate re. where people are coming from.

I believe strongly in this sort of approach. When I was in high school I never liked to be judged superficially by people, and so I made it a policy to try to return the favor. I'm not going to look down my nose at the SUV driver, or the fashionista heiress, or whatever it's whoever to Disapprove Of. I can't read people's hearts, I don't know what's going on in their lives, or where they've been to bring them to this point. (Um, it's possible I'm judgmental about self-righteous or judgmental people, however. Sorry.)

I also think that being righteous and judgy is just strategically un-intelligent. Hm, I'll address that in a separate entry.

I'll leave you with, if you care to read it, the John Robbins pig story. He was once researching pig farms under cover, and was invited to stay at the home of The Evil Pig Farmer, for supper. He sat there Judging Judging, until the farmer finally confronted him about animal rightness. And eventually the story came out that the farmer loved pigs and hated factory farming, but it was all he could do to eke out a living; and it was this experience that taught Robbins to be more compassionate. (And eventually the pig farmer became an organic vegetable farmer.)