History in the Making.

I'm inspired to write this blog entry after listening to Jordan Wyatt's always great Coexisting With Nonhuman Animals Podcast. In his last podcast for 2010 (number 42), Jordan was joined by Emmy James (Vegan For Life), and Elizabeth Collins and William Paul (NZ Vegan Podcast). Also present, in spirit at least, was the mighty Sam Tucker of Food for Thought Radio.

Anyone who reads my work will probably know that I claim that veganism as an idea, as a philosophy, and certainly as the moral baseline for a rights-based social movement, is still in its "pioneer stage." Law professor and animal rights theorist, Gary L. Francione, once suggested that we are all Michael Vick - but there is a real sense that ethical vegans are all Donald Watson, the co-founder of the English Vegan Society. Someone recently noted on Face Book that Watson's Vegan Society was founded in 1944 and that seems to be a terribly long time ago. However, it terms of social ideas, the time span from 1944 to 2011 is just the blink of an eye and so, to quote The Carpenters (if only because it was cool in the 1970s to see a female drummer - and one often with a see-through drum kit to boot), we've only just begun.

Although veganism is still in its pioneer stage for everyone, that term really does apply most appropriately to these folks in New Zealand. These are pioneers in the truest sense of the word and they are already making an impact. As 2010 comes to a close, I'd like to thank them, and all vegan pioneers, wherever you are.  

Thanks for what you do.