I am addressing this blog to Michael Rodman, chairman of PETA’s three-member Board of Directors. In starting a blog about PETA, or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, I believe it necessary to make two confessions.
First, I don’t like spiders or most insects. Fireflies and butterflies are fine, but roaches, beetles, and unidentified flying insects are just plain creepy. Insect discrimination is just a part of me that can’t be helped. PETA may admonish Obama for swatting a fly, wanting him instead to use catch-and-release fly traps, but I say swat on Mr. President, and may your aim be true.
Despite my lack of compassion for insects, I do love animals, which leads to my second confession: I have a pet cat.
My cat, pictured here, is named TJ, short for Thomas Jefferson. I often cuddle him and require him to use a litter box, but other than that I pretty much just let him be a cat. It’s an opportunity to which he takes full advantage.
In speaking of “my” cat, I use the possessive “my” in a non-possessive sense, as if I were referring to my friend Nicole or my flatmate Robin. I don’t intend the term to connote ownership, as in this is my computer, over which I have absolute control and can do with it as I see fit. If I decide to throw it out of my second floor apartment window – which has occurred to me – I can do it without any moral turmoil. It is just a thing, not a living being.
PETA would likely applaud the idea of my cat as a companion rather than a possession, but the mere fact of my having a pet cat would draw a scornful frown. While PETA doesn’t exactly attack pet ownership, it does contend that having a pet is a product of selfish human desires. PETA believes that it would be better if “the institution of ‘pet keeping’ never existed.”
I confess these two sins (among others) against the animal kingdom simply to show that my lack of radical orthodoxy on animal rights would prevent me from being welcomed into PETA’s inner sanctum, regardless of how committed I might otherwise be to animal welfare issues. That I can’t embrace and may be viewed as an infidel relative to many of PETA’s more radical ideas doesn’t necessarily translate into a lack of respect for the organization. PETA does a lot of good things, especially in exposing and educating the public on the inhumane treatment of animals and pushing for legal remedies.
What troubles me most about PETA is the problematic ethical nature of some of its activities; from the way it portrays itself to the public in search of financial support to some of its more outrageous advertising campaigns. I believe PETA’s periodic ethical numbness affects perceptions of the organization’s integrity, which in turn diminishes the impact of its message. Animals deserve a better spokesorganization.
Mr. Rodman, I specifically want to see you and your organization:
- be more overt about the implications of your animal rights philosophy
- end the hypocritical practice of euthanizing animals
- stop using advertising that objectifies women
- stop using advertising that exploits the suffering experience of others (Jews, African-Americans, etc.)
As I blog into the future I will explore, with some objectivity, ethical and institutional issues associated with PETA.
I am so interested in this topic! I cannot wait to learn more about it. I think you did a great job very clearly identifying what need to happen. Also, loved the photo of the cat! Great first post!
I liked the way you were up-front about who you were and what you believed so people don’t get the wrong impression of you or your blog. I thought it was a good first post but would have liked you to address who your change agent is and how they have the capacity to make the changes that you so clearly articulated. His name is in the subtitle of your blog, but be sure to mention and explain who he is in your next post. It would be very interesting if you could get an interview with a member of PETA and you could share their responses to your questions of whether their behavior is ethical or not.
You were very exact in your end goals and laid out everything in a light and funny manner. I absolutely frown upon PETA’s practices because they are too extreme and I dislike anything in extremes. I really hope PETA does see your blog and start to change their red paint throwing ways. I can’t wait to see what else you’ll post about. Good job with your first post, it’s very enlightening and gives a great perspective on your topic.
The beginning of this post was amazing that it made me laugh out loud! Many of the practices of PETA are absurd and I hope the changes you laid out can be done. I hope that this catches the eye of someone at PETA and they read for themselves the negative things they are doing as an organization.
I am very impartial to PETA. I see the good that they do, but believe that they are a bit extreme. I love the pics that you put up. Super cute =]
I think PETA is definitely extreme and they should calm down sometimes and use different tactics to get to people because they only push people away by being so extreme. At the same time If feel they are trying to do good.
I was in the same place a Sefanie before reading your blog. I wasn’t sure how I felt about PETA because I understand they are trying to do good, but always thought their actions were too extreme. Your blog has given me enough information to form an actual opinion about PETA – thank you!
You make a very compelling case. I agree with what you’re saying as I never agreed with protesters ruining individuals fur coats by pouring paint on them. I think that is wrong. There are other ways to prove a point and get people to be on your side. It has been tradition for people or families to have a pet. I think a house cat is much better off then a cat in the alley. They are better fed and live in better conditions. Not to mention the love they receive. Great job on the blog!