Gatekeeping is the activity during which someone takes it upon themselves to decide who does or does not have access or rights to an identity and its goods.
Like the time when a guy said watching Star Wars movies and liking them does not make you a Star Wars fan.
But instead of telling you about this phenomenon, we decided to show you more examples of it.
After doing a bit of research, we landed on a subreddit of the same name (r/gatekeeping) and quickly realized that probably all communities have their "guardians."
This time, however, we'll focus on vegans. Not because we have something against them or anything. It's just that their gatekeepers are as funny as they are popular on Reddit.
#21 If You’re Vegan For Reasons Other Than The Animals I Have News For You... You’re Not Vegan Sorry Bud
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85points
Durably reducing your own consumption of animal products offers “social proof” of its viability. It demonstrates to those around you that a plant-based diet is consistent with being healthy and enjoying the food on your plate.
But social influence can quickly stagnate if people start behaving just like we see in these pictures. Moral superiority not only turns us off, but it also makes us defensive.
Studies have shown that negative attitudes toward vegetarians, for example, stem from anticipated moral reproach. In other words, we care so deeply about seeing ourselves as morally just that a mere whiff of virtue signaling or grandstanding puts our guard up.
