Even to your point about boots, there are some people who are vegan (by their definition) and wear leather boots. Arguments can be made that leather will (in specific circumstances) result in less animal harm in the long run, and while I don’t personally justify leather this way, I can understand how some have these perspectives.
The real issue is labels. As soon as you apply one, you are subject to everyone else’s understanding of that thing. In my experience, if you don’t meet their understanding of said thing you’re dismissed as not being a “true x”, or it’s “if you truly are X then why do you do y?”
This is why I never refer to myself as vegan/vegetarian and just “I don’t eat meat” (or a more specific statement as needed).
I never say I’m a leftist/socialist I just gestures vaguely at American politics believe that’s kinda fucked and shouldn’t be done that way.
I even dislike saying I’m an urbanist because, even though I despise car-centric design, I’ve been called out for the sin of hiring a car when I visited my hometown last (generally I cycle everywhere or use PT, but I had an ankle injury so woe is me I guess)
At some level we’re all hypocrites, ones intentions are far more important, and shouldn’t be dismissed as easily as they are. What’s more important is to align your actions with your beliefs, be open about what you believe in, be open-minded when someone’s beliefs don’t align with your own, be ready to adjust your beliefs based on new information and experiences but most of all:
Even to your point about boots, there are some people who are vegan (by their definition) and wear leather boots. Arguments can be made that leather will (in specific circumstances) result in less animal harm in the long run, and while I don’t personally justify leather this way, I can understand how some have these perspectives.
The real issue is labels. As soon as you apply one, you are subject to everyone else’s understanding of that thing. In my experience, if you don’t meet their understanding of said thing you’re dismissed as not being a “true x”, or it’s “if you truly are X then why do you do y?”
This is why I never refer to myself as vegan/vegetarian and just “I don’t eat meat” (or a more specific statement as needed).
I never say I’m a leftist/socialist I just gestures vaguely at American politics believe that’s kinda fucked and shouldn’t be done that way.
I even dislike saying I’m an urbanist because, even though I despise car-centric design, I’ve been called out for the sin of hiring a car when I visited my hometown last (generally I cycle everywhere or use PT, but I had an ankle injury so woe is me I guess)
At some level we’re all hypocrites, ones intentions are far more important, and shouldn’t be dismissed as easily as they are. What’s more important is to align your actions with your beliefs, be open about what you believe in, be open-minded when someone’s beliefs don’t align with your own, be ready to adjust your beliefs based on new information and experiences but most of all:
Be kind.