Let me preface this post by saying that NO MATTER WHAT I do not think that it’s okay to torture animals or treat them inhumanely.
If you follow me on Twitter, you know why I’m writing about this. The Huffington post recently tweeted an article about PETA’s latest attack on celebrities who choose to wear animal skin. Here’s their tweet with my response:
Well, apparently I pissed off some lady who supports PETA (of course I did, it’s PETA!) because lo and behold, I just signed on to Twitter and had 3 tweets from this woman. Whoa there lady, callllm down. So here’s what she said – I edited her name and face out but you can see them if you go to Twitter:
Here’s some background on my stance on meat, leather, fur, and animal skin: generally, I don’t like it. I don’t like it to the point where I’m actually looking into going vegetarian when I move to Santa Barbara next week because of the awful news coming out about that slaugherhouse in California. I don’t feel like I can support it at all anymore. When I do eat meat it’s almost always turkey or chicken. I have red meat maybe once every 4 months, at most. I don’t like it, and I really like cows. I want to go veg now because after seeing 10 seconds of the video from that slaughterhouse, I researched how chickens and turkeys are killed, and didn’t like what I was seeing. I didn’t research on PETA’s site. Also, I don’t really like meat enough to eat dead animals anyway. It’s just easier and cheaper than other protein alternatives.
In terms of leather, I don’t like that it comes from animals but it doesn’t bother me as much as fur. Leather is more necessary than fur, it’s something that people have used for thousands of years and it’s something that is extremely difficult to successfully replicate. If synthetic leather comes out that is exactly like real leather I will obviously use it.
Okay, on to fur and skins (snake, croc, lizard, etc.). I don’t like the use of skins because I think it’s a lot like fur – purely for aesthetic use. I think that faux skins made out of leather work just fine, look pretty much the same, and are less frivolous.
I wanted to be a veterinarian for most of my childhood until I realized that I wouldn’t be able to euthanize sick animals because it would make me too sad. I can’t even kill a goddamned spider. I don’t think it’s okay to snuff life out for no reason. THE THING IS — leather and meat? Not for no reason. People need protein to live. It’s a fact. There are obviously many different ways to obtain protein in one’s diet, but meat is the easiest and most effective. Not everyone can afford to go buy whole raw almonds and edamame every day. Not everyone can afford to replace pair after pair of shitty fake leather shoes rather than buying one pair made from real leather that lasts for years. Sorry, but it’s the truth (in my experience.)
My point with all of the above is that I do understand where PETA is coming from. I am pro-animal. That doesn’t mean that I think their tactics work. They’re far too extreme, and I think that they’ve turned themselves into a laughing stock rather than a serious animal rights organization. Not everyone is going to be 100% for or against the use of animal products. Just like me, many people absolutely do not want animals to be mistreated, but understand that we do need some animal products. If I could have it my way, far fewer people would consume meat. Animals would be treated wonderfully in slaughter houses, they would be put to death completely humanely, and they would never, under any circumstances be tortured. Some people don’t think of animals in that way, they think of them as lesser creatures that don’t matter. Those people are gross.
Rather than personally attacking celebrities who wear fur or python boots, rather than posting terrifying videos of animal abuse, and rather than using sex to sell their ideas, PETA should offer solid facts and legitimate avenues for people to help. They should understand that nothing is ever black or white, and what matters most is the humane treatment of animals. Their extremist ways of conveying their messages alienate the people who would otherwise be drawn in and encouraged to help. I can’t even go to their website because the images are so disturbing…how is that helping their cause? Wouldn’t it be better if they offered objective information instead of scare tactics and propaganda? Has anyone ever taken the crazy guy on the street corner yelling about Jesus rising from the dead seriously? No, and that’s essentially what PETA has turned itself into.
When you do go to PETA’s site, the only options offered are to donate to PETA or volunteer with PETA. Maybe I’m not going deep enough, but I’m scared to see images of tortured animals so I’m going to risk writing this a little uninformed. I wish PETA would offer lots of different alternatives, even something as simple as lists of local animal shelters. I don’t support PETA, so I won’t donate to PETA. I support animals, and I’d like to know of other ways to help them. PETA’s site is self-serving. It’s almost as if they’re not really as concerned with helping animals as much as they’re concerned with spreading their version of what help is. Here’s a screenshot from their “Issues” page.
If you can’t read it, here’s what it says:
“Every day in countries around the world, animals are fighting for their lives. They are enslaved, beaten, and kept in chains to make them perform for humans’ “entertainment”; they are mutilated and confined to tiny cages so that we can kill them and eat them; they are burned, blinded, poisoned, and cut up alive in the name of “science”; they are electrocuted, strangled, and skinned alive so that people can parade around in their coats; and worse.” -PETA
This is exactly why I’m not supportive of PETA. I don’t support the fact that they’re sensationalizing their entire cause to get a rise out of people. I don’t think it’s a strong approach. Given the vast number of headlines panning PETA, I’d say plenty of people feel the same way – people who do support animals. PETA groups people into animal haters and animal lovers. Like I said earlier, it’s not a black and white issue. This woman on Twitter basically bashed me for not supporting PETA without knowing me or my views on the matter. My tweet to The Huffington Post wasn’t even offensive. She is a prime example of why PETA is not a constructive organization. By continuously alienating people, they’re not furthering their cause. PETA is smearing hate in the name of a cause that should be fought for with love. Does that seem like it makes sense to you? Let me know in the comments, I do love a good debate! =)
Further reading:
How PETA is betraying vegans and the animal rights movement – honestdog.com (click the links in this one)
PETA’s “Thank You” for Killing Shelter Pets – Huffington Post (click links here too)
PETA to set up graphic booth at Utah State Fair – SF Chronicle
Reblogged this on lifeoutsideoflaw and commented:
Also they think that having pets is bad and we should just let our pets out to fend for themselves. In that all five of my cats were rescued from outside where they were either starving, or diseased, or freezing, I beg to differ.
My kitten Daisy was starving and very sick, and I took her in and nursed her back to health. She’s the most playful, happy girl in the world now. That is just ridiculous of them. Good for you saving those kitties. I’m sure they’re very happy you did rather than letting them stay outside. Domesticated animals are basically bound to die if left out…they haven’t developed the same knowledge of the outside world. Here’s a video of Daisy if you want to see her, you should post pics of your kitties! =) http://rainingsequins.com/2012/03/24/a-little-somethin-to-cheer-you-up-if-youre-sad/
I will no longer be reading your blog, as I don’t care to read things written by someone who is completely uninformed and illogical
“When I do eat meat it’s almost always turkey or chicken”
- Well, isn’t that a lovely deal for the poultry. What, they are birds, so they don’t matter quite as much as mammals? How about the fact that they are LIVING SENTIENT beings, so they might just be EQUAL. Oh, but you “really like cows,” so I can totally see how you are justifying this *eye roll*
“Not everyone can afford to go buy whole raw almonds and edamame every day. Not everyone can afford to replace pair after pair of shitty fake leather shoes rather than buying one pair made from real leather that lasts for years. Sorry, but it’s the truth.”
-Nope, not the truth. A silly and simplistic view. I have a ton of vegans friends, college kids who wait tables on the side, who can easily afford not to wear and eat meat (or dairy or eggs). Meat is far more expensive than a can of chick peas or a box of quinoa, and like you said, there are lots of ways to get protein. Eating animals is TOTALLY unnecessary, it is a choice and an indulgence. —-Secondly, leather is in NO WAY a necessity. That is about the dumbest sentence I’ve ever read. Wear a god damn pair of canvas chuck taylors! Ever heard of faux leather? It’s not shitty, and it doesn’t fall apart instantly – where do you even get support for this statement?
Listen, I don’t love PETE, because I don’t like their highly sexualized tactics. But the fact of the matter is that you don’t get what you’re talking about. You’re ill informed. Don’t like PETA? Read a book! Try “Eating Animals” by Jonathan Safran Foer. And please don’t post on again on a topic you know nothing about.
No prob, we’re all entitled to our opinions so it’s cool if you don’t want to read any more. So now I’ll respond to your concerns:
I eat mostly turkey and chicken for exactly the reasons I stated – I really like cows. I don’t like the taste of beef, and I like chicken and turkey. I never said they’re not equal…in fact I said that once I looked in to how they’re killed I realized that I don’t support it. So calm down.
Faux leather is worse quality. Having had both faux and real, in my experience the fake stuff falls apart much more quickly. I don’t really think you read what I was writing through your rage, because I said that the minute there’s fake leather that is closer to the real stuff it’s all I’ll buy. As for finding other sources of protein that are adequate compared to meat, in my experience it’s much harder to get the right protein for less money. I wrote that about the general population too, though, not just myself. So many people don’t have access to healthy food. Millions of people grow up with almost no education regarding healthy food choices. They don’t know that you can find protein in nuts, beans, and a multitude of other products. I have, by the way, read many articles about it, so please don’t just assume I’m an idiot because I don’t agree with you. If I do decide to go vegetarian when I move, which I probably will, I’ll be able to report back to whoever still reads this on how cost-effective it is. Maybe I’ll make it a series, who knows.
This post was about why I don’t like PETA, and your comments are 100% about my views on some of PETA’s stances. The entire point of this post was to say that so many people have differing views, and PETA is alienating potential animal rights activists with their extreme tactics. Although you might not think leather is a necessity, some people do. Some people also see meat that way. That’s why I said that NO MATTER WHAT, animals should never be tortured or abused. If they’re going to be killed for their meat it should be in the most humane way possible. I only prefaced my reasons for disliking PETA (which, by the way, do cross your in terms of using sex to get attention) so that people would understand WHY I feel this way about PETA. Nothing is black and white, and like I said: PETA is smearing hate in the name of a cause that should be fought for with love.
This is an opinion piece. It is my opinion. This is a hot topic, and people are bound to disagree. I write based on my experience, and I write in a tongue-in-cheek manner. Like I said many times in my post, I love animals. Ask any one of my friends and they’ll tell you that I’m obsessed with animals. I have to say, I like debating but I don’t really appreciate personal attacks…part of the point of my post. Attacking someone who disagrees with you personally does nothing to further your own point. As for reading, I started Fast Food Nation a couple of days ago. Maybe I’ll write about it when I’m done.
Mmm, think that just proved the point of extremist opinion. What’s with people being so rude when you put your views out there these days? As it’s your blog you are more than entitled to voice your own view and readers can click on to another site if they don’t agree.
Foxes are feral in South Australia and do lots of damage to the native fauna, so I’d like to use their fur more in my clothing. Emus can be sustainably farmed on our old fragile land and completely used for consumption, leather, feathers and oil so nothing goes to waste. Kangaroos are culled due to overpopulation, so it is legal to buy and eat kangaroo meat here, and their leather is used in clothing and footwear. I think humans are irrational with most opinions so I can’t say why I wouldn’t make a hat out of my cat, except for emotional attachment.
To your 1st paragraph: Thank you! I thought it proved my point, too! =) I know, people are so mean online. It’s like they don’t hold themselves accountable because it’s not face to face.
Every country is different, every culture is different, every opinion is different. That’s exactly why PETA fails. They put everything pertaining to animals under blanket terms of good or bad…and it’s completely unrealistic.
A cat had WOULD be warm, though. My cat used to sleep directly on top of my head for some reason and it was always really warm when she did
Yes, every culture is different, but I support the humane treatment of animals, birds and reptiles including the way they are killed. Since colonisation of Australia we have caused the extinction or endangerment of hundreds of species due to the destruction of habitat and introduction of feral creatures. Over population is going to be the biggest challenge for the future and veganism may be the most sustainable way to live. Thanks for your thought provoking post.
Have you heard of the book ‘The three legged cat’ by Margaret Mahy? A children’s story also for adults, about a cat that wants to see the world so curls up on a man’s head as a hat
Reblogged this on ellikitty.
“They’re throwing hate around for a cause that should be fought for with love.”
Beautifully stated. Agree completely.
thanks daddd hahahaha