I was a vegan for 6 years and I think abstaining from food does fuck all for animal rights. I think the movement is full of very angry people with no nuance who, even on a quiet level, like to feel superior to others and have never seen a sheep or cow in their life.
It wouldnt take very much dialogue to get retailers to ensure their meat was purchased from farms with better conditions for animals, but that's seen as "consorting with the enemy". Meanwhile the conditions remain unchallenged from the majority of vegans.
The idea of a meat-free world as it currently stands is impossible, and vegan food replacements have failed to provide protein replacements. Even when I had sufficient money, I still needed to take supplements to avoid getting sick. I know two people close in my life who will get extremely sick if they do not eat meat. Beans is not an alternative.
Debate with practicing vegans has been largely frustrating to me. Eventually there is a point where they will eject and claim the conversation is too traumatic to continue.
Eating food isn't evil. Moralizing about this has seen PoC, the poor, and other cultures harassed for practices a white vegan majority refuses to engage with in good faith.
The main argument that does hold weight to me is that industrial farming is filled with terrible practices, and because we have engaged with these animals, we have a duty of care towards them. I do not excuse mass industrial farming practices, but I do believe that if a farm animal is happy and safe for it's whole life, there is nothing wrong with eating it. I recognise that with the exception of small farming, we are a long way from that reality, but certainly much closer than a meat free world, which I consider impossible, if not just for humans but for the carnivorous animals we care for.
When I was much younger, and vegetarian, the culture was very different. It was not uncommon to be harassed by meat supremacists. We campaigned for vegetarian options to be available. We weren't campaigning for vegetarian meals to be the only option. What works for one person is not a blueprint for everyone.
There are vegans who do campaign effectively for animal rights, but in terms of actual action they are absolutely in the minority
