When Mike McLaughlin of the Brooklyn Paper called to ask questions about BKLYN Goes Veg! one of the first things he asked was if I thought vegetarianism was waning. It was the second time I’d heard that in the same week. According to him, vegetarianism is dead.
I don’t think vegetarianism is waning and it certainly isn’t dead.
I do think that with every “new” idea or way of thinking and being that moves from the fringes of society to the center, vegetarianism has become mainstream enough – more accessible, less controversial – to stop receiving the kind of negative attention necessary to sell papers and magazines. Unless of course you’re a celebrity vegetarian or a misunderstood parent with “concerned” relatives.
Or maybe vegan is the new vegetarian?
I also believe that the global food crisis has catapulted the local, slow, and sustainable food movements (as well as issues of food security, and food justice) to the top of the conversations about our food choices. So, it’s not that vegetarianism is waning, or dead; it’s just not front page news anymore – which is what I expressed to Mr. McLaughlin.
This year’s take on BKLYN Goes Veg! in the Brooklyn Paper is a complete departure from the way they covered it last year, which is very curious to me. Perhaps readership is low; perhaps Mr. McLaughlin still hasn’t found a new girlfriend and the idea of yet another lonely night has turned him into a snarky, misguided failed vegetarian (he admitted that he was “vegetarian” in college, but has long since returned to eating meat).
In any case, BKLYN Goes Veg! is and has always been about promoting vegetarian dining in the borough. How a restaurant makes a decision to participate is based on their marketing strategy and bottom line, which may not include participating in a restaurant week.
If you feel you need clarification about the views expressed in Mr. McLaughlin’s article, feel free to send me an email.
At the very least, I hope the article motivates you all to get out and put your money where your mouth is. And maybe next year, you’ll see a larger lineup.
Support your local vegetarian restaurants.
