Check your Privilege

“Veganism is a first-world, white western privilege. It takes time, money, effort, and access to resources that not everyone has.”

Not everyone has the luxury to analyse the morality of their day-to-day choices, let alone their dietary habits. People all over the world who are struggling to meet their basic needs should not be judged for prioritising survival over ethical eating.

Alright, pitchforks down everyone, because I completely agree with this statement. To be a vegan is indeed a privilege that not everyone can afford. Is continuing to be a vegan an act of flaunting such privilege? If so, should I just stop with this nonsense altogether?

Don’t get cold feet

There is a common argument that people bring up about the Inuit and other indigenous peoples who must hunt animals to survive in extreme environments. Obviously, veganism is out of the question for them. So let’s just call it quits on the whole thing then?

The argument relies on an Appeal to Extremes. Essentially, because a tribe in the Arctic Circle must hunt animals to survive in their harsh conditions, I am morally justified in buying a factory-farmed chicken breast from my local supermarket.

The thing is, I’m not living in those harsh conditions. I’m living in the polar opposite environment of supermarkets stocked with plant-based options and restaurants having at least one vegan dish on their menus. So it doesn’t really make sense to decide my ability to do something on their inability to do so when we’re in completely different circumstances.

Eat to Live vs Live to Eat

If we refer back to our definition of veganism, we can see that there is a huge emphasis on making practicable decisions. Essentially, we should try our best to make ethical choices.

Veganism does not expect a starving person to refuse a non-vegan meal when it is their only option for survival. Veganism is about making ethical choices when one has the ability to do so.

I’m not in that situation where my survival depends on consuming non-vegan food. I fortunately have the choice and control over what I eat, and I can make ethical decisions without compromising my survival.

The Responsibility of Privilege

There is no doubt that I have certain privileges in my life. And with great privilege comes great responsibility.

I don’t expect someone in a harder situation than myself to think about their morality and make the slightly more demanding ethical choices that I can afford to make.

I’m a big believer that the system is what makes it difficult for many people to make ethical choices. Therefore, with my privilege of time and financial stability, I have a duty to make those ethical choices. By voting with my wallet, I can help shift the system so that one day, the ethical choice becomes easier for those who do not have it easy.