Cats!

Pedophiles for PETA

I have had long-standing issues with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Not because of their positions on animal abuse and veganism (which I agree with) but due to the racist and sexist methods they use to get their message out.

PETA has actually shocked me, this time, with a "quiz" involving the striptease of a woman in a schoolgirl uniform. (See this link.)

PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk, as always, brushes off feminist criticisms of sexist PETA actions by saying essentially "I can't be sexist! I am a woman! I am a feminist!" Or, if you prefer, her own words:

"Well, [feminist criticisms of PETA are] rubbish because the organization is run by a woman, who is me. I marched in the earliest of rallies, I am an adamant feminist."

Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with nudity. But when we consistently see (mostly) women of particular body types used to "sexually entice" people (straight men) to "join the cause" I get pissed. (See here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. And in case you are thinking "well, they sometimes have men too!", contrast the images of women against the much more non-pornified and comedic images of men here, here, here, here and here.)

Now with the striptease quiz, is PETA enticing the kiddie porn market? Are these really the people PETA wants on their side?

From the ads, it appears that PETA's target audience is straight, adult men. But we know that far more women, and especially teenage girls, are sympathetic to animal rights and vegetarianism/veganism.

One would think that PETA is missing or maybe even expanding their target audience. Or is this just a continuation of "selling" to girls and women the idea needing to be sexy for men? That our intrinsic value comes from men perceiving us as attractive? That above all else, women are sexual objects, even when we are fighting animal abuse?

I mentioned earlier that PETA also has a history of racism. Take this PETA action (also here), where two (white) PETA activists dressed up as members of the KKK to protest the American Kennel Club (AFC).

Not like it matters, but I too have a problem with animal breeding when there are so many animals out there who desperately need homes. And those of you who know me, know how seriously I take this; Chris and I have 18 rescue kitties, some of which are purebreds who would have likely otherwise been euthanized (killed) because of behaviour and health problems. So I can rant about the problems with breeding any day.

But how PETA articulates this message is absolutely offensive.

So, someone at PETA thought it would be a great idea to dress up as KKK members to protest the AFC, arguing that they are trying to create a "master race".

I was thinking about who would be most receptive to this protest, or who would think that this was a good idea. And what came to mind was white people. For People of Colour, seeing persons dressing up as the KKK and standing on the street corner handing out literature for ANY reason has got to be damn frightening.

I am not suggesting that the use of controversial images is never appropriate in activism. But the way that PETA uses women and People of Colour mimics the sexist and racist oppressions of society. And you can't liberate one group by oppressing another.

PETA would be smart not to alienate its natural allies, particularly since the topic of animal rights is so unpopular to begin with.

Which is perhaps the problem. I don't want animal rights, I want liberation. For all.

Bunky and Meow Meow

Penguin outwits orcas

one of the most awesome things I have ever seen. watch until the end!

(don't mind the crappy dance music)

How to bake a pumpkin pie

1. Buy crusts that are freezer burned and broken.

2. Refuse to throw away crusts. Improvise by squishing two crusts together and throwing another crust on top of pumpkin mess "to hold it together"

3. Neglect to actually make a pumpkin filler. Just use plain pumpkin.

4. Bake. Watch it fall and turn into a sloppy mess.

5. Still refuse to give up! Mix it up so that it looks like a "crumble" (it works for apple crumble, right?)

6. Taste. Realise the filling sucks. Add copious amounts of sugar and vegan cool whip to make it tolerable.

7. Stir it up. Consider putting it in a blender and passing it as a pumpkin pie smoothie.