We're not talking about replacing a whole wardrobe, just one coat, and it is practicable and possible to give that one item up without greatly effecting one's ability to clothe oneself. Also she says nothing about it being inherited, or even how 'old' it is, so to compare it with your heirloom is not the same thing.
One coat that we know of; I have tried not to make any assumptions. If the age or sentimentality of an item, used and being worn-out, isn't specified then my gut reaction isn't to think it was a cheap knock-off with no real value to the wearer. My instinct, as a vegan trying to live in a positive way with others, is to consider her thought process, choice, and good sense. Sally has been here long enough to display all these qualities (she is established here). I think we can afford ourselves the luxury of thinking the best of other vegans, and not the worst, else we could all go mad.
I never mentioned the HPV vaccine or other vaccines. I know that this is within the bounds of the 'practicable versus convenient'. And I don't see how this relates to the OP.
Perhaps it does not relate to the original post, no, but I did feel it was appropriate to provide an example where your thought about not being fully vegan could cause harm. I am glad that you make a distinction for health purposes.
@sharla86, I have not tried to shut you down however I do feel that your comment was unduly antagonistic. As a moderator here I have to think about what people see when they visit the forum. For instance I have the power to delete or edit any post, or to ban any user. Aside from spambots, I am proud to say that censorship almost never happens here and I have not exercised any of these privileges in this case because that would be inappropriate. I have, however, responded in order to try to balance your tone. My intention for doing so is so that if a person should read your comment, and be put out by it, they can then scroll down and see a more inclusive leniency. I have to think not only about what our users need here, but also about what the forum provides and - therefore - how it contributes to veganism as a whole. I have to think about inquisitive visitors who would possibly be completely overwhelmed by veganism before they had even begun. So, yes, your view is entirely valid as your own and I hope you will also see that I must also do what I can to moderate which, literally, means presenting a moderate view as well. (And that fits me just fine, I'm not fake at all about the views I represent which I believe is why Damo - the founder and administrator - chose me.)
And you're not the first to ask hard questions and put across hard views. There's more where that came from here on the forum. I do think Sally is right, however, we vegans should be a strong community together and fight our battles elsewhere whilst using this as a supportive base where we can regroup together. You're a vegan, I'm a vegan, that is what matters here - I am very pleased that you have chosen to make the transition. I am supportive of your cleansing through your belongings as I acknowledge that the act can be a positive psychological affirmation of your new decision to do less harm.
Veganism, as a diet, is centuries upon centuries old. It's only 'veganism', as a word, which is a post-war invention. There are many suggestions about the true origin of the vegan diet - some suggest religious practice (anthropologists speak about prehistoric animism); it's only the Western resurgence of veganism which comes from more self-aware vegetarians.
And that is all I am trying to do, to be as consistent as possible with my new philosophy and stretch the 'as far as is practicable' to its greatest limit within the means of what is possible. Giving away a coat seems pretty practicable to me. And I see no shame in giving away a coat 'because I don't need it anymore'. I grew up wearing hand-me-downs and charity-shop-bought clothes and saw no shame in it.
Right, the key here is that you admit to your individual circumstance. You speak about what is 'as consistent as possible' for you, in the subjective. For others - even if it isn't a question of money and time/resources - consistency is about keeping hold of the item and wearing it down. Both acts are within the vegan sphere, both a bit subjective, so I don't feel antagonism belongs there. There are so many pragmatic vegan arguments which seek to put the wellbeing of the world at its core - excellent, well debated arguments - and these too are a challenge to vegans even though the end result is best (because the answer would definitely not be what you would call 'fully vegan'). I would encourage you to check them out and look at the global quandaries that could face us, not the fate of another vegan's coat. My message is usually that fundamentalism, of any kind, leads to angsts we don't need. There are a few posts I could recommend you take a look at, if you have the time.
This one (the more relevant points are at the end, including the video) and maybe
this one.
The point I was making about 'I don't want this any more, you can have it instead' had nothing, nothing to do with the financial situation of any individual or how you might or might not have been brought up. It's about vegans saying 'this used to belong to me, but I'm better than that now - you can have it' and the message that might send to non-vegans.
@Sally - This is both a vegan forum and a 'trying to be vegan' forum