Nerves/Advice

[Amanda]

So...I have to be honest. PETA, ALF, the like, make me a little nervous. Noam Chomsky has basically said that civil "disobedience"/uprising, etc. is the only thing that is going to change anything. I agree to an extent. But I feel that peaceful protest ala gandhi, mlk jr., mandela, etc. has been most effective. I just don't want to be marginalized. If we want to bring our issue to the mainstream, we cannot scare people with our tactics. For instance, I did the animal rights walk in buffalo a couple of months ago. the one for farm sanctuary. it was put on by Animal Advocates of Western New York. So, my boyfriend and I get there to find an extremely low turnout (mostly due to the weather), and a woman dressed in a cow outfit with a squealing voice. she sounded like she was about to snap and bomb a research facility, ya know? one of those crazy fake super cheerful, "i love life (but really don't)" personalities. And we were like. whoa. No wonder why people think we are crazy.... So, we are starting a buffalo vegetarian association. "bveg." any advice/idea as to how to get this going? my boss is vegan, and said that we can have meetings at the coffee shop. which is awesome. my boyfriend is a graphic designer, and has designed a logo. also, i just graduated from the university at buffalo in may with a degree in anthropology. and i'm looking into public health master's programs. i personally think that taking a public health/anthropological approach to educating people on veganism could be really effective. what do y'all think?

[pradtf]

different things work in different situations for different people.
you should do what you feel is right for you to do.
ar is a very diverse and vast field.

in friendship,
prad

[Nessers]

I totally agree with you, I don't believe extremist measures are necessary or even entirely effective. I think it alienates your average person who might otherwise lend an ear. I'm more of the "lead by example & non-violence" school of thought. It's worked quite well in my circles, anyway.