So… I want to like PETA, I really do. The objective – ethical treatment of animals – makes sense to me. How about the ethical treatment of all animals, including humans?
As Renee points out, PETA’s got some problems with their advertising campaigns.
I’m wanting to believe this story is a joke:
PETA wants to advertise vegan message on border fence
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals plans today to announce an unusual marketing pitch to the U.S. government: Rent us space on the fence for billboards warning illegal border crossers there is more to fear than the Border Patrol.
The billboards, in English and Spanish, would offer the caution: “If the Border Patrol Doesn’t Get You, the Chicken and Burgers Will — Go Vegan.”
“We think that Mexicans and other immigrants should be warned if they cross into the U.S. they are putting their health at risk by leaving behind a healthier, staple diet of corn tortillas, beans, rice, fruits and vegetables,” said Lindsay Rajt, assistant manager of PETA’s vegan campaigns.
No… the American diet, particularly as portrayed in popular media and advertising is not the best in the world. Food production in this country has some serious problems.
But the notion of such an advertising campaign belittles those who are risking their lives to cross the border, it colludes with a racist, violent campaign to keep out those immigrants we don’t like, and it shows a remarkable obtuseness regarding the diets of people who live in countries other than the U.S. I think it likely that Mexicans have seen, and even eaten, meat before coming to the border. I think it likely they have other issues on their minds when they cross. “If the Border Patrol doesn’t get you” makes light of real life and death scenarios.
When considering how many meat processing plants hire undocumented workers and offer them no protection, this campaign seems kind of … evil.
