In this context, the political divide isn’t just about disagreements over policy or ideology—it’s about fundamental differences in how we value and protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their identity or background. The challenge is not just to bridge the divide through understanding and communication but to confront and dismantle harmful beliefs and practices that have real-world consequences for marginalized groups. This isn’t just a matter of disagreement; it’s a matter of justice and human rights.
As our society progresses in understanding various issues such as climate change, mental health, social science, and LGBTQ+ rights, we must adapt and evolve our perspectives based on new information and evidence. This growth is not an attack on tradition but rather a recognition that what may have once been accepted as normal can actually be harmful to certain individuals or groups.
It is crucial for everyone, regardless of political affiliation, to acknowledge the importance of recognizing and addressing harm caused by outdated beliefs or practices. Instead of viewing these changes as a threat to tradition, we should embrace the opportunity to create a more inclusive and just society. This requires a proactive approach in advocating for the rights of all individuals and continuously reevaluating our own beliefs and actions in light of new evidence and understanding.
The political divide extends beyond policy and ideology, reflecting differing values in upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals. The task at hand involves not only fostering understanding but also actively addressing harmful beliefs and practices harming marginalized groups. This issue transcends disagreement; it’s a matter of justice and human rights.
Progressives recognize that evolving understanding is crucial, as new facts emerge that challenge past beliefs. Vegans exemplify this, acknowledging the sentience of animals and their capacity for emotions. Despite industries and individuals choosing to exploit them, knowledge and awareness must drive change for a more compassionate society.
What can I say that hasn’t already been said? 
I had this problem with a lot of vegan social events. I participated and felt like I was part of the community for years, but things started to hit how absolutely lib and middle class the whole community was. I noticed that I was the only one masking at an event (this was late 2021), and later a lot of open bigotry got ignored despite people’s call for the chuds doing it to be sanctioned.
Not that vegans need to be lib or middle class, but this group was.
We don’t really have vegan social stuff here so at least you got that.
I did have a prettly nice convo with a lib couple yesterday at my favorite vegan food truck. He said some stuff that made me think radical centrist, but she’s a recent convert form “Veganuary” and is trying to stick with it. She also helps at Food Not Bombs so it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Would be cool to see them grow more and him come over. He even admitted that tho he wasn’t a vegan he loved the food there. Maybe some wheels are turning?