An article in the February 4, 2010 edition of the Wall Street Journal inspired me to write. The article was titled “Alice Waters Dishes on the Food Scene”. Ms.Waters, owner of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley, CA, is a champion of the Slow Food movement, which advocates the use of organic, humanely raised, and locally produced food products. In this article, Ms. Waters comments on the simpler food choices that Chez Panisse and other slow food restaurants in the Bay Area are now offering. Over a baked mushroom Pizza, Waters comments on this trend. Waters agrees that the food choices are becoming a little simplistic but she also believes in “….giving people what they want….. I think the bottom line is that if you want to get people to eat grass-fed beef, we need to make hamburgers because it makes people think about the other hamburgers [factory farmed beef] they’re eating. People aren’t ready to do that, so you have to begin with where they are”. I agree with Ms. Waters approach in meeting people where they’re at. I also believe that it is important to share information about the concept of Slow Food with others. However, the manner in which we share that information is vital to the impact that it has on the progression of the movement and our ability to be heard.
In my youth, when I was new to the movement, I was eager to convert others to my lifestyle, and I would freely share my opinion. I would bend the ear of any person who would listen and those that who would not. I remember that I would commit such heinous behavior as harass my dinner partners about their eating habits and lecture strangers in the grocery store. My fellow shoppers at my local pet food store were not safe as they were often subject to my lectures about the by-products hidden in cat and dog food.
I am pleased to say that I am no longer the zealot that I used to be. I do think that the Slow Food movement is an important concept that should be shared because our food choices affect the health of the planet. But the approach we take is vital to our ability to be heard.
Today, I occasionally encounter those who are zealous in their attempt to share their views. They are supporters of many types of movements, including the support of rights for other animals. For example, I have seen footage of animal rights activists who have thrown red paint onto women and men dressed in fur. Such behavior is in opposition to the heart of the animal rights movement and is it neither fair or decent behavior toward our fellow citizens. All people need to be heard, but to do so, we must be kind in our approach.
I am grateful for what I have learned and for those who have helped me along my path to change. To those who may remain vigorous in their approach, I offer the following advice. Set an example by doing rather than speaking. Offer advice only when asked. Go gently. Change is a slow process.
REFERENCES
Worthen, B. Alice Waters dishes on the food scene. (2010, February 4). The Washington Post, p. A15B.
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The approach, the approach, the approach! Which way is "right?" Who knows? I heard your message, and will keep it in the back of my head, as I am not totally ready to change eating nasty factory farmed animals. When you wrote about people who through paint on people with furs you said, "such behavior is in opposition to the heart of the animals rights movement and is it neither fair or decent behavior toward our fellow citizens,” I thought of radical religious people who (may or may not be) in opposition to the heart of their religion.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this Slow Food Movement, and thought that it meant eating more slowly and thoughtfully at first! I like the idea of simpler food choices for a restaurant approach, with an emphasis on healthier supply sources. Most of the time I always default to my favorites anyway.
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