Veg caucus gpus appl
Why a Green Party Vegetarian Caucus?
In some organizations caucuses are geographic, in others they are ideological and in others, by interest or identify group. Within the Green Party of the United States (GPUS), the role of caucuses has traditionally been to give voice to "a historically disenfranchised or underrepresented and significant sector of the population."
How do you know you are in such a sector or group? Ask these questions.
- Are your group's interests and concerns often forgotten or neglected, or treated as a burden, imposition or afterthought by the majority?
- Does your group have to work extra hard to ensure that its interests and concerns are included by the majority in decision-making that directly your group?
- Does your group's ability to live a healthy life suffer when its needs are neglected by the majority?
- Do your group find its interests and concerns devalued, when what you hold at the core of your being is treated merely as a 'lifestyle choice' ?
- Do you find that others that diminish the value of what your group holds sacred, sometimes aren't even aware they are doing so?
- Is there much work to be done before the majority truly understands, respects and addresses your group's interests and concerns?
- Does the fact that some will question whether your group fits the definition of "historically disenfranchised or underrepresented" demonstrate why there is a need for your caucus?
The answer to all of the above is generally 'yes' for vegetarians -- and that is before any voice for animals is even contemplated.
If we also ask "are there Green policy approaches and practices to address your sectors interests and concerns?", here again, the answer is 'yes.'
A Vegetarian Caucus would provide a needed perspective. But for those who may question its role, its important to remember that the Ten Key Values were originally phrased as questions, not directives. That was so we can all evaluate how these values apply in our lives.
Like other caucuses within the GPUS, a Vegetarian Caucus would strengthen the process of applying Green values to our lives, by providing a better understanding of how they apply in the lives of others.
