Comments on: Community Candid

By: tina

tina — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:35:48 +0000

Mouth watering event pictures in color!

http://www.govegan.net/?p=3071

By: The Chairman of the defunct Peoples State of Spotucky

The Chairman of the defunct Peoples State of Spotucky — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:48:31 +0000

I was referring to this comment from a vegan insider-
“I won’t say how I know, but a certain vegan author did not stop in certain west coast cities on her recent tour specifically because of the jadedness in those communities.”

However I will expand my thoughts because you asked.

You sighted four events that gave you a feeling of community in action, and then said “It is usually when something special and unexpected is happening that brings a variety of people into a context where they have something meaningful to share.” The events you sighted were special on an individual basis but hardly “unexpected”. I am only an armchair sociologist but I consider what you find at these events as more of a tribalism. The Contrarian might rear his head if we get into the difference between tribalism and community, so lets move along.

I like old books so I used the “… some communities are more equal then others” line. I believe that statement to be true. You link to the Inlanders election night slide show, If you think the sequence of pictures there doesn’t prove that also, you have not noticed what is missing.

By: The Spovangelist

The Spovangelist — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:46:09 +0000

Chairman, don’t be silly. Of course Lion’s Club, Rotary and hunting groups are all communities. There wasn’t anything “exclusionary” about the vegans dinner. Don’t know where you are getting that. I think part of community is being inclusive. It isn’t about who is more “equal.” That statement doesn’t make any sense.

By: The Chairman of the defunct Peoples State of Spotucky

The Chairman of the defunct Peoples State of Spotucky — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:55:04 +0000

I guess community is only good if said community fits your ideals, is deemed authentic by your own varying standards, and is new enough to be molded in your own image. To me, that is the definition of too cool for school. Would these vegan exclusionist’s consider a Lions club or Rotary club community? How about a hunting club gathering for their annual feast? Are some communities created more equal than others?

By: Crystal

Crystal — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:25:40 +0000

Thank you for sharing this! I also have to agree with you that Spokane’s genuine appreciation for events like this is unique. I won’t say how I know, but a certain vegan author did not stop in certain west coast cities on her recent tour specifically because of the jadedness in those communities. She did however stop in Spokane.

By: jon

jon — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:07:20 +0000

i would agree with your assessment about Spokane not being ‘too cool for school.’ i get the feeling certain huge mid-western cities are.

By: Becky

Becky — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:37:53 +0000

Thanks for posting this. The event was wonderful and something I’m very glad to be a part of. The Spokane Vegans did a great job and I’m excited for future (community!) events to come.