Media portrayal of vegetarians?!
Why is it that Don Imus can make a hideously racist comment and be fired, but someone can say similar hateful things about veg*ns and get away with it?
Example: Today on the radio I came across a morning show where the host was spouting off about how people are carnivores (not omnivores - which makes sense) and saying one belligerent, anti-veg comment after another, most of which were totally unfounded and ignorant.
He would only accept calls from people that were ranting and raving about how they hate veg*ns, how annoying their veg girlfriend is, etc. When he did take a vegetarian's call it was a really awkward, stuttering guy. They ripped him apart.
When I tried calling into the show (being in med school to be an ob/gyn and a few weeks away from my first nursing certification), the person screening calls hung up on me when I politely said I could offer an intelligent other side to the topic, as it was so biased.
Answers: Anyone else annoyed by media portrayal of veg*ns?
Why is it that Don Imus can make a hideously racist comment and be fired, but someone can say similar hateful things about veg*ns and get away with it?
Example: Today on the radio I came across a morning show where the host was spouting off about how people are carnivores (not omnivores - which makes sense) and saying one belligerent, anti-veg comment after another, most of which were totally unfounded and ignorant.
He would only accept calls from people that were ranting and raving about how they hate veg*ns, how annoying their veg girlfriend is, etc. When he did take a vegetarian's call it was a really awkward, stuttering guy. They ripped him apart.
When I tried calling into the show (being in med school to be an ob/gyn and a few weeks away from my first nursing certification), the person screening calls hung up on me when I politely said I could offer an intelligent other side to the topic, as it was so biased.
I am not surprised at all. Veg*ns only make up about 2 or 3% of the population. It's easy to make fun of someone when you outnumber them about 50 to 1.
As far as the Don Imus thing, I don't even put it in the same category. We chose to be veg*ns... no one has the privilege of choosing their race. Making fun of someone for something they can not control is much worse than making fun of someone for a choice they made.
I wouldn't take the rants of shock jocks too seriously... my cousin called one up last week to volunteer to be punched in the face... they can't be too bright.
::edit::
I agree that it is always wrong. However, it just doesn't offend me the same way as someone angrily shouting, "N*****!" The difference is huge. I think racism is a bigger problem than people being uncomfortable with my diet.
::edit2::
Bob... don't be a d***.
I agree. I don't know specifically what you're talking about, but I have heard that type of thing before. Unfortunately, vegetarians and vegans in the media are always portrayed as some sort of hippie or anarchist who wants to bring society down. Which of course is ridiculous and yet another stupid stereotype that uneducated people make about things they do not understand.
Someone who is black/white/Asian/insert ethnicity here does not choose to be that way, while we veg*ans do. We choose not to contribute to a horrible industry. So I think that's a poor comparison.
I'd hardly say that one radio show is representative of the media portrayal of veg*ans. We actually don't get much play in the media.
If you were outraged by the radio show, I would write the station manager and let him/her know how you feel. Back it up with intelligent facts. Be calm. And let the station manager know that you won't be listening to that station unless you get an apology from the host of the morning show. Encourage your fellow vegetarian friends to also write the station and express their outrage.
For some reason, most Radio DJ's (and some talk show hosts) seem to have strong views without anything to back them up, and since they're controlling the show, they don't let the other side get an opinion. There's one specific DJ where I live who I can't stand, he hasn't bashed veg*ns yet, but he's said some pretty stupid things. Unfortunately, even if I could talk to him and explain to him why he's wrong based off facts, he'd probably just attack me and continue to believe his opinion. So I just ignore whatever he says because I've come to realize he's pretty much just an uninformed idiot. And obviously since your DJ doesn't even want to hear an educated opinion from the other side, he's just trying to get ratings/wants to rant/ has no intention of having a discussion/etc. All you can do is ignore him and educate people about veg*nism any other way you can. If you have a lot of other veggie friends in the area, maybe you can get together and set up an informational booth outside the radio station, for have a veg*an fair somewhere in town. There was a question on here once about a vegan group giving away free vegan food to the community. That would be a great way to show people that veg*an's eat great and don't just eat salad and carrot sticks.
I think it depends on what media you are talking about. Mainstream North American media? Perhaps. People generally fear things they don't understand, and many people don't understand why people would avoid eating meat.
I remember listening to Dennis Leary's stand-up album, No Cure for Cancer, where he goes on a long (and remarkably funny) tirade about meat. At the time (mid 90s), I loved it, and said, yeah... I love meat! But much later, I went vegetarian for two years, and am slowly but surely working back to it today. Even bad press for veg*n lifestyles is still good press.
People look to gain their information through the media that reflect their own views. If people who hate vegetarians look for info on hating vegetarians, they'll find that, but if they're curious about reasons one might become vegetarian, they'll find a spectrum of information, and not all sources will be as boneheaded as that radio show.
Change by definition has to occur within people, and the media simply reflects the people. Don't hate on other people's opinions, even if they hate on yours.
I wouldn't call the show, you've described "the media", or even give them the credit of being representative of "the media". The sole purpose of the show seems to be entertainment, and the focusgroup a bunch of guys, who are clearly not interested in having their story ruined with facts, but rather seek validation (or even glorification) of their own bad habits. Anything for a laugh!
Tomorrow they'll want calls from girls, who love their boyfriends bellybutton-lint ..
Only way to deal with it, is to laugh it off.
Spend your energy taking part in the debate in the serious part of the media. The media has an increased interest in nutrition in general these days, and there are lots of places, where debate is both topical and scientific.
I can't help but think that people who slam vegans and vegetarians like that must feel threatened by them on some level. I kind of wonder if it's because being around veg*ns makes them almost question the rightness of their diet and lifestyle and they just can't handle it. You're right, though. The media portrayal of veg*ns is often blatantly false and unfair and something should be done about it. I'm tired of people spouting out misconceptions about veg*nism and portraying us all as hippies or nutcases. And I'm not at all surprised that they hung up on you. Like you said, the show was obviously biased, and from the sound of things, the show isn't exactly aimed at an intelligent or well-educated audience.
radio shows... I believe that radio shows screen for the most unintelligent callers.
I agree 100%, Infact, people like Mark Bitterman,, - I thats his name, he wrote a book called "everything vegetarian", but than says, "Oh I am not a vegetarian". and same with Michael Pollan. Well these people are making money from promoting vegetarian foods, but are very quick to say how they don't believe in being a vegetarain.
Also, I found a similair situation to your on NPR radio.
Its like, we are easy targets. - and I wish I knew how to change the status quote.
Edit:- the most popular vegetarian, I remember, was in the show called Friends, that girl called Phobie (sp). But she was a hippi, jobless, weird, crazy, chick, and she gave up being a vegetarian when she was pregrnant.
Mhm, dont you hate them type of people ?
Thats why I listen to TRIPLE J (:
They did a whole segment on vegetarians vegans etc etc. without being biased or anything (:
Love em .
What a lame radio station you were listening to =l
So the V & V trolls have their own radio station now??
I am not annoyed by the medias portrayal of vegans simply because I've never heard them talk about it. Actually, I've only seen on TV where meat eaters are blasted by animal rights advocates.
You know I eat meat. You and I are well beyond that. You also know, I've never "harassed" anyone here to the point of insulting them based on their diet choice. I am the "minority" here and I take 100X the bashing I put out. When people say things here about meat eaters they are saying it about me. All of the berating, insulting, condescension and disinformation directed at/against meat eaters includes me by default.
There are differences in our plight though. The audience here is admittedly smaller and I do have the ability to reply if I choose to. But there's been much hate tossed my way anyways. Not so much directly, but as a meater in general. Is it acceptable because I'm not a minority in the real world?
We both have an option as well. I can stay out of V & V and you could have changed the station. But I don't think it's either of our true nature to ignore our views being bashed.
I understand completely how you feel. I come here now simply because the truth needs advocates against bias and stereotype. You would have never called that station had they not been misrepresenting you right? Same for me.
A public thank you to you and my other friends here for tolerating my "moments", sharing intelligence and doing it in a mature, respectful manner. That's the way it should be.
People often fear what they don't understand. Simply by others living a different lifestyle to theirs can often challenge a persons sense of ethos, not to mention ego.
As for the media, some shows only thrive when their is conflict and negativity. This is the same reason only people with a trailer trash story to tell will get on Jerry Springer regardless of whether it is really true or not. It seems veg*ns are an easy target because there is no high profile political figure to give them hell for doing so. I also believe veg*ns tend to be more peaceful and less likely to put up a fight even in the case of insult. The meek will inherit the earth
Personally I believe our greatest vote and influence is our dollar, and sadly so. But if we recognize this we can use this for good. By not buying meat and by supporting more compassionate industries like, organic, fair trade, no sweat, local where possible, alternative energy, etc we can make a very large difference.
When it comes to the media I would also encourage you to vote with you time. If a station like this is purposefully being offensive I'd write the station and demand a formal apology else you will take you listening ears else where.
Or if this more than you are willing to do only listen to the more intelligent shows. And as for the others, simply push the ignore button by turning the dial. At such times silence can be golden.
Many Blessings : )
I completely agree.
People think vegans are anorexic malnourished beings.
People think veg*ns are tree hugging hippies.
But hey I guess it's fair because a lot of veg*ns look at meat eaters and think they're fat/greasy/unhealthy/etc.
And I guess most people don't know how much veg*ns there are, out there.
Like I totally freaked when I found out Nelly(the rapper) was vegetarian.
Yes I agree with you about the media portrayal.
In the last year I have seen two news broadcasts on the topics of vegetarians.
One was about that poor baby that died who had the vegan parents (they blamed the death on veganism not child neglect, like it should have been.)
The second was about a local vegetarian restaurant which is owned by a Buddhist sect which some see as a cult. They were basically talking about brainwashing.
Online, I have come across numerous studies recently that have shown that vegetarian diets can significantly reduce the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Did they say anything about it on the medical breakthroughs part of the news?...No!
Just last Monday, on a new show called "Unhitched" they portrayed a woman as being an animal rights supporter. They showed her and her animal rights friends protesting outside of a restaurant to liberate a lobster that was the restaurant namesake. The acted "protest" just looked dumb and I felt it portrayed vegetarians as being silly and ignorant.
Don Imus is an idiot. Everyone knows that. The person whose show you tried to call into is an idiot. We all know that now.
I could say, it's okay it doesn't matter what people think. But, NO, I'm pissed. Because when people (omnivores) constantly hear this banter they begin to side against us.
How can we break into the media corporations and shed some light on the regular, normal people who are vegetarians and vegans?
It's about ratings. Controversy equalls ratings. Half the time these guys don't even care or at least feel much less strongly than they make out- the ones that really are passionate about being psycho end up getting sacked because they are uncontrollable.
Remember that broadcasting is a very political career where everybody is playing roles and being nice here and nasty there and well practised at it. It is easy to find a skilled improviser who enjoys the attention of talkback radio to say controversial crap about whatever will get the phone calls coming in.
I'm more worried about the most famous vegans in the world being drug users like Woody Harrelson. He has great messages which are obscured by his televised admissions of drug use. It's hard to complain about the image painted on us when this is what people use to identify as a vego...
It's really popular to slam vegans and that's why the media gets away with it. Check out the link to this old question by
" Nice Guy" for examples.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...
Pretty good dialogues and debates in answers , but what is the remedial measures ? Nothing . Has anyone takes to media or tell the radio programmer about the behaviour of their staff ? No no one. Vegetarians and vegans is the community as a whole on the planet , and surrounded or covered with their own thinking and opinions. Similarly the meat eaters have the logic as has been mentioned by the Ph.D in Nutritiation person with his own thoughts and logic. This is unended deabate. I feel there has to be stern action, but that is not possible
I'm with VeggieTart on this one. The comparison to slamming racial minorities isn't a great one. While we are being judged, often arbitrarily, for a small slice of our identities, I couldn't say we've suffered the same sort of injustices for it. If I was black someone interviewing me for a job would see that and, if they chose to apply their prejudices, I could end up unemployed because of it. If they had similar prejudices toward veg*ns, I might still end up with the job because they wouldn't have any way of knowing. I chose veg*nism and I can choose to conceal it also - it's just not really the same thing.
You're a highly intelligent woman, a helluva a persuasive writer and someone whose opinion I thoroughly respect here. We need to be attacking negative media protrayals at the source. Write the station manager. You're articulate and well-informed; I know you can craft a letter that will get their attention. It may not get you anywhere this time, but if we all stand up for ourselves in that way, eventually it will sink in that we're just not a group to be mocked.
That said, I do agree with you that the media goes out of its way to portray as as something well outside the norm. Your radio show was doing exactly what some of the trolls do here: accepting answers only from supporters and blocking anyone who would offer an informed, but differing opinion. It sucks but it's the reality we have to work with.
Yeah, I hear veg*ns getting dissed in the media a lot. They stereotype us.
I think the most unsupportve person in my being a vegetarian is my best friend. Its really sad. She thinks I made a stupid choice and she will not listen to me at all as to why its better.
People are just uneducated so they poke fun.
Just ignore it. I can't believe they hung up on you though!!
You know it doesn't surprise me at all. I mean look at the media, look what they promote. Eat like pigs super size it, eat cheap crappy meals and feed your children processed sugar and chemical ridden foods so you all can grow up fat and unhealthy and then you can take some pills to help all of your ailments that have horrible side effects. Then you can sue the drug companies and make some lawyer rich.
Normally it doesn't bother me because well I know I am better off eating the way I do. I am sure my kids are better off eating how I feed them and I have no need to be or eat like the average consumer.
Plus you know they are only saying it to cause some kind of controversy and to boost their ratings.
People who put others down for amusement do so to try and make themselves look better or funny. What they really do is show their own ignorance and close mindedness.
I don't believe in vegan. I think it's a big mistake and potentially unhealthy because I have studied nutrition extensively.
But I think its your right to do what you want to do with your life and people shouldn't criticize you for your beliefs. The same goes for veggies who cannot leave meat eaters alone.
PhD Food Chemistry and Nutrition
ok you should be ashamed of yourself for even comparing vegans to racial minorities.
vegans are NOT a protected group, as are minorities, gays, etc.
discriminating against a race, religion, sexual orientation or gender is ILLEGAL. discrimination against a vegan is NOT illegal.
don't even think your vegan group is so special that you get special treatment.
i hope you see the irony in here: you want everyone to respect your opinion and point of view, but you have no respect towards others opinion on the matter. you respect others opinions on the matter, as long as it matches your opinion.