PETA and Skin

Do you love and respect animals? I do. Do you love pets. I do. PETA stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. It is an animal rights group founded on the belief that animals are not ours to use for food, clothing, experimentation or entertainment. Since 1980, PETA has grown from a handful of volunteers to an international organization with more than 1,800,000 members and supporters.

The web site www.peta.org states, "Grassroots work is essential to the success of the animal rights movement, and PETA is committed to helping activists around the world organize to protect animal rights."

PETA launched its "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign with the help of the popular rock band The Go-Go's in 1991 to raise awareness about the millions of animals who are trapped, drowned, beaten, and electrocuted for their fur. Since then, thousands of compassionate people have bared their bodies for a variety of PETA campaigns to help animals in need.

And, on site, PETA reports, "Animals always need more lovely ladies and gorgeous guys who can draw attention to PETA's campaigns by dressing up as Lettuce Ladies and Broccoli Boys (in bikinis or swim trunks made of synthetic lettuce leaves!) and handing out veggie food at public events, by participating in our iconic 'Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur' protests, or by taking part in the many other eyebrow- and consciousness-raising events that we coordinate to promote animal rights."

My question is "Has PETA gone too far with the whole idea of using beautiful naked people to raise consciousness for the ethical treatment of animals?" Do, in fact, many of these ads raise the sexual and sensuality levels of readers at the expense of the real issue? In their own words, PETA certainly "draws attention," but what is the real focus of attention in their ad campaign? Is the campaign just another extension of "Barbie doll" appeal to draw in the masses with conceptions of perfect beauty? Or, are the ads just "Shock and Awe"? Look at a few ads and decide for yourself.

 

The central images are unmistakable: lovely naked women -- all nude, all sexy, all visions of modern beauty standards. The settings are evident: an Old Glory backdrop, an American classroom, and a religious sanctuary. The printed animal messages are common pleas. Yet, the theme of these ads is mixed with messages of patriotism, education, and Christianity. PETA makes no attempt to hide their use of symbols for ad populum (appeal to the people) and for ignoring the question (after all, hot models are the focus of attention).

In combination, these ads seem to say "all educated and beautiful naked Christian Americans are advocates for animal rights." The flag, the teacher's apple, and the cross are all arbitrary signs that have acquired powerful conventional significance. In two of the ads, no image of an animal is even featured.

No ugly humans will be found here. I find the sexy celebrity status visually appealing, but for what end? The reflection in the water, the school girl fantasy, the angel and the well-positioned crucifix -- something is telling me that the PETA ads are more about human biological, animalistic instinct than ethical treatment of animals. To boot, some subtle value statements seem to be intended.

No offense, but I just don't think some models will fit the PETA "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" standards. For example, I doubt very seriously if this young lady mistreats or eats animals, yet I don't see her in a PETA ad.

And, how about this news item from Derek Shore www.kfoxtv.com reporter (February 12, 2009) about the PETA gathering in downtown El Paso. Many people turned out to see what was going on; however, instead of finding anything animal-related, El Pasoans found two half-dressed women on a blow-up mattress, French kissing.

Beyond the shock value, PETA promised there was a message."This weekend is Valentine's Day, so it is a great time to get the point across that vegetarians have lower rates of impotence and this is also a great way to show off what a healthy vegetarian body looks like," said Ashley Byrne of PETA.

Vegetarians, Byrne said, have more stamina in the bedroom because they are healthier. It is a point that resonated with other local vegetarians."The point that they are trying to get across right now is about the whole love issue because I'm a lot healthier because before, I was overweight,” vegetarian Miguel Rodriguez said. “I am a better lover now."

Some people, however, didn't get the point. "Honestly I just want to slap those girls.” Patty Juarez said. “That’s disrespectful for my two kids, and I mean that’s not even right, and then them kissing like that.” (Derek Shore, www.kfoxtv.com)

And, Patty, I don't get it either. PETA's agenda must include rights for gay animals. Maybe they couldn't find two penguins or dogs that would perform on the mattress. Or maybe they find the mating rituals of animals just too graphic for the average vegetarian to handle. In any case, two half-clad women swapping spit in the middle of city square was an image PETA wanted to portray.

 

PETA in El Paso

And, for you vampire lovers, one of the stars of the Twilight Saga, Christian Serratos, would never wear anything dead. But, I thought vampires lived on human blood? Wouldn't that image prevent PETA from using Christian as a spokesperson? Evidently not, at least when the vampire rage means tremendous publicity. The undead for PETA? Is that blood at her feet?

Finally, I don't want you to think that PETA features solely women. Men are also a part of the "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign. And, who could make a better model than the fearless, idiotic stuntman of Jackass and Wildboyz fame -- Steve-O. You figure the message from this ad because I am at a loss. At least Steve-O is the closest human resembling a true animal that I have found in PETA's collection.

Wake Up, America!

I challenge you, my friends, to sit down with your children today and teach them all the proper ways to behave and think. Since we have determined our convictions, it's about time we teach our convictions to those whom we love best. For decades, I have heard about the lesser bad effects of marijuana use versus the effects of alcohol use. I think to prove a conviction here, parents should light up in front of their children, let them see their parents high, and teach their children to smoke marijuana when they grow up instead of drinking beer. They would be doing a great justice to health care and to crime. Stoners are good, productive citizens with proven track records. It's about time for them to advocate usage to youth in order that the young people of today will live in a safer, reefer-filled world. Next, the sex talk. I think children should definitely be taught the advantages of bisexuality. Teaching kids that "bi is best" would lesson their fear and aggression toward any sexual persuasion. This is a new, accepting society that needs to be taught and reinforced very early in life that total freedom of sexual expression will not only help release unneeded pressures during adolescence but also encourage vital sexual experimentation during those "formative" years.

Bisexuality increases a person's chances of meeting people of diversity, and the variety presented to participants guarantees a lower divorce rate, when and if "traditional" marriages occur. Bi instruction seems to be the only sex-ed that can offer benefits to all persuasions. Society needs to shift from a procreation message to a toleration message. It's about time to put belief into action. After all, sex today is not all about having children and traditional heterosexual couplings are failing at an alarming rate. It's also about time to follow PETA's lead and teach our children to stop eating animals of any kind. In fact, vegan is the safest choice. No animal deserves to suffer, be it for food source or for clothing source, or for any source. Begin today by cutting meat from the family diet. And, please no bleeding hearts for meat substitutes-- these are like giving little boys toy guns to play with--the potential for using the real thing is the false message here.

This program of change can begin with the child's new selections at fast food restaurants as well as changes to the family diet. Imagine the savings and the health benefits which also positively impacts the health care system. Society must pressure insurance companies to demand their customers stop eating animals or pay increased premium rates to cover health care expenses. Speaking of pain, do plants suffer? Switzerland has already issued a document outlining the ethical treatment of plants. The document generously allows that "any action with or towards plants that serves the self-preservation of humans [is] morally justified." Why do plants have to suffer needlessly? There is an extra lesson to teach the kids. And finally, talk with your children about the "gansta" culture. Why are the kids being punished for this behavior? It is what they are programmed to do by the culture and it's about time to recognize that and respond accordingly. For example, gangsta rap is music describing the reality of inner-city life, and the rappers are only adopting a character, like an actor playing a role, which behaves in ways that they may not necessarily endorse. Since the '80s it has become the most commercially lucrative subgenre of hip hop. While the music reflects the violent lifestyle and deals with subjects such as homophobia, violence, racism, black supremacy, profanity, promiscuity, misogyny, rape, street gangs, drive-by shootings, vandalism, thievery, drug dealing, alcohol abuse, substance abuse and materialism, it, according to Spike Lee, is like black minstrel shows acted in an ignorant manner for the entertainment of audiences. Kids may need to be reinforced in their right and need to role play these important issues. Parents should play gangsta music with their children and show them the advantages of partaking such roles. In fact, parents should support the industry themselves by buying products to promote gangsta culture. Psychologists can relate the harm done to young people who are denied outlets for their playful aggressive feelings. Violence, as it relates to children, can be productive as play. If parents themselves were to imitate gangsta culture and behavior, the children would feel even safer in such real environments and understand criminal acts can be fun. How can a deeper look into reality be harmful? Perhaps play followed by field trips to areas rich in gansta culture would be most beneficial. Well, today is the day to put belief into action. To take the first step toward a better, more diverse, and more understanding America, parents must get off their soap boxes and receive their calls to action. Live it, America, and begin to reap the results. For some of us, attitude adjustments may have to be made, but the majority will certainly conform.

Do it now. That is, if you believe in it.