WAYNE HSIUNG, founder of Direct Action Everywhere, responds to lots of criticism from BOB and Professor GARY FRANCIONE + last chance for discounted Early Bird tickets for the 2016 WORLD VEGAN SUMMIT & EXPO!
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Hello, I just listened to the “interview” with Wayne Hsiung and Gary Francione and I have to say that I don’t think it was a fair discussion at all. I also have to say that I think Gary behaved like a bully, not an intellectual having a useful debate. I heard Wayne conducting himself quite graciously even though he was continually being talked-over and attacked.
One reason Wayne avoids promoting veganism is because it is too challenging a technique. Yelling slogans is easy but ineffective as a “primary” method. I agree with him, however, that the word “vegan” has been diluted, but so what? Its a simple matter of taking back the word and using our individual powers of persuasion and behavior to accomplish that. If its true that Direct Action does not place veganism at the top of its pyramid of strategies, then there is something inherently flawed with the organization.
I find this “discussion” to be incredibly frustrating. Gary Francione very rudely interrupts Wayne Hsiung throughout, and then at the very end, has the nerve to comment that it is not an effective discussion because he has to wait for Wayne to finish making his points. THAT is the entire problem here. Some MAJOR no-no’s for effective communication include interrupting the speaker, and not trying to understand the speaker’s point of view before formulating and asserting your own. This is clearly demonstrated at the very end, when Gary suggests that Dxe’s position is to make people effective activists without them being vegan. Wayne and DxE NEVER made that assertion. Wayne was simply making the point that it is not enough just to go vegan, and that we need to do more and become activists and inspire others to also engage in activism. And this is something that you, Bob Linden, also have a whole speech about it. That speech is the one that first introduced me to you. So I’m still not sure what you have against DxE, as you actually want the same things. From where I sit, it just looks like you’re not effectively listening to what Wayne and DxE have to say.
Professor Gary Francione, speaks the truth……. there is nothing else to say…. this man speaks the truth, his courage and faith is like no one else. I bow down to him in admiration.
I’m split on this. I like the angry activist approach of DxE, but I also want to promote veganism as a moral baseline – and DxE doens’t usually even mention veganism.
I think the analogy Wayne makes with the dog beating is valid in how it illustrates the best ethical choice is to intervene. If we are going to intervene non-violently, I agree with Gary that it is incoherent to be trying to convince the dog beater to start convincing others not to beat dogs before first convincing him not to beat dogs himself.
I cannot fathom an activist advocating for true animal liberation (in the real sense of the word liberation – total freedom from ownership and oppression), that hadn’t yet put veganism in to practice in his or her own life first. Nobody is going to make the jump from omnivorism to vegan activism without passing through veganism first, and so veganism is what needs to be stressed when dealing with the general public.
Wayne is right that 1% of the population going vegan and being silent about it will not lead to change, and we do need activists, but it is the people who are ALREADY vegan who are going to take action and become activists, and it seems that DxE’s stunts are all targeted at non-vegans in public places. If DxE wants to contribute by creating activists, which might fill a useful purpose, it should focus on people who are already vegan, and the loud slogans would not be necessary since vegans are easily engaged in discussion on matters of animal rights.
As a longterm vegan for over 20 years now I am wholeheartedly grateful to have finally learnt about Professor Francione, and his logical and inspiring Abolitionist
Approach a few years ago. Professor Francione says it as it is and I truly believe if the animals could communicate in English they would keep saying many sincere “thank you” to him. Gratitude to Mr.Linden as well for developing and keeping Go Vegan Radio in the air!
Peace! The world is vegan if you want it! /Gary L. Francione/
If you saw a dog getting abused of course you would intervene if you were actually there but in a store how are you going to physically stop the people purchasing the eggs, dairy, meat ect.
You take actions like DxE does. Attend grocery stores and inform people that the packaged piece of meat in their cart is not food, it’s violence.