PETA, HSUS, and The Rumblings of a Vegan Tsunami
As a young teenager, I used to surf the coast of Southern California. My vision was poor, so I learned to feel the currents of water beneath me. When there was a light drawing back, it meant a swell was coming and I needed to get paddling. If I delayed, I would miss the ride, and if I was too fast, I would have the wave crash down on me and would wipe out. Lately, I have been feeling a shift in the currents beneath me once again, only this time I do not plan to miss it.
PETA’s Failed Policies
There have been rumblings on the vegan blogosphere about some of the latest new lows reached by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Their pie-in-the-face disrespect to a person in authority seems contraindicated when requesting more respect for other beings. It is assaultive and inappropriate behavior not becoming adults with serious intentions. Then there is the full frontal nudity of a young woman in their State of the Union Undress (deliberately not linked here) – disrespectful not only to women but also to our elected leaders. Even Ingrid Newkirk‘s response (A pragmatic fight for animal rights) to Victor Schonfeld’s article, Five fatal flaws of animal rights activism, in which she defends “silly antics” as being part of animal rights activism misses the mark by a mile. While Ms. Newkirk may be well-intentioned, her behavior is the same old tired tactics that have been failing to do anything but increase the PETA budget and gain some press for many years. At every turn, Ms. Newkirk sells out the animals and any chance to show respect for their lives, whether it is by cooperating with fast food enterprises that kill animals for food and profit, or partnering with corporations by buying stock in animal exploitation schemes. Ms. Newkirk never draws a line in the sand, never acts as if she believes what she says that animals are not ours to use; she uses and exploits them freely to draw attention and financial support to her organization while they remain in a living hell. I have noticed lately that when an outrageous behavior occurs in the news, such as the recent intrusion into Senator Mary Landrieus’ office by men dressed as phone company repairmen, the allusion on a recent MSNBC news discussion was to liken them to “PETA protesters.” Meanwhile, only 7 animals were saved in PETA’s “shelter” in 2008, while nearly 2,000 were killed. With millions of dollars in annual income, it seems impossible that those lives were valued, because with the will to save them, they could have. If PETA wants ethical treatment for animals, they should begin by delivering some themselves.
HSUS Sells Out to Flexitarians
HSUS recently got into the fray, decrying the criticism from abolitionists this organization has been receiving. While HSUS does not stoop to media madness in the same vein as PETA, they still have quite a few things in common with them and appear to be becoming more and more aligned with similar policies. While Wayne Pacelle is a hired hand whose position requires him to support the policies of his agency, unlike Ms. Newkirk who is a founder of hers, it is still his choice to do so. Reportedly he is a vegan; however, his organization does not support veganism to any significant degree. They have recently sold out by also partnering with fast food companies that kill animals for profit and joined in a “flexitarian” campaign with a major food service corporation. While it is admirable that this corporation is providing more meat-free meals, it is a far cry from HSUS taking the stand that all animal commodification is not to be tolerated. There are many vegan businesses that HSUS could profile; they deliberately chose a corporation that will allow their supporters to feel the warm fuzzies while consuming animal products. With friends like these, who needs enemies? If no one in an organization called HUMANE is willing to say commodifying animals is unacceptable, one would assume that, like PETA, HSUS considers the commodification of animals acceptable practice, at least in the immediate sense. Most would not deny that HSUS does some good; indeed, with millions annually, they have ample opportunity. Stopping dogfighting is a noble idea, but doing so while participating in eating and commodifying other animals is not. In the big picture, their policies are failing the bulk of animals yet they lack the moral courage to take a stand on the animals’ behalf.
It is interesting that Gary Francione has done more to change attitudes without any organization and without any budget than all of the high profile organizations put together. Neither Wayne Pacelle nor Ingrid Newkirk are willing to debate Gary Francione, either. Put simply, he has remained consistent and has not sold out. So please do not write a check to any organization to make yourself feel better about the plight of animals without reading the paper – the news is not good for most animals on any given day. And despite what you may be told, things appear to be getting much worse. But within the vegan community, things are growing bigger, too, and a swell is developing. There are a number of individuals who will not sell out, who are quietly working hard to improve the status of animals, to promote peace, to save the earth, and who draw a line in the sand — animals are not commodities, not “things” to be modified and abused for commercial gain, profit, research or entertainment. Recent reads of letters such as Mr. Schonfeld’s reveal numerous abolitionists agreeing about failed welfarist policies; letters in response to Ms. Newkirk’s letter offer contempt for that agency’s tactics.
This is not to lump all animal organizations into one. There are some good organizations out there doing some very good work with limited financing. They support veganism, allow space for ethical discussion, support no-kill shelters and spay-neuter programs, and work to improve and preserve habitat so there will be wildlife left for the future. Organizations exist that provide sanctuary to homeless animals who would otherwise be destroyed. Working for justice and respect for life, promoting non-violence, and building a vegan community of support are all important work. There are those that take in homeless animals and try to find homes for them. There are companies producing some excellent vegan products and some wonderful human beings developing innovative ideas for the future. But even without that kind of structure or vision, each of us individually can reach out to change attitudes. It is through individual activism and outreach, especially in this era of the internet, that real change will take place. Keep challenging those who harm the movement by behaving in violent or disrespectful ways. Become part of the rumblings, and let the volume grow. Make disrespect for other forms of life totally unacceptable.
A vegan tsunami is coming; add your voice.
facebook 
twitter 
email Tags: animal rights, flexitarian, Gary Francione, HSUS, Ingrid Newkirk, PETA, State of the Union Undress, vegan, Wayne Pacelle
Subscribe RSS
Wow. This is the first criticism I have read of PETA directly from a vegan point of view. I also have been vegetarian since childhood & vegan for many many years (10?) however oddly, I’m not familiar w/HSUS! (Is this the “humane society, by chance?”) Anyway, happy to have happened upon your blog via twitter. Thanks for the education & the “food for thought”!
Candy at YourHolisticAgent.com
In appreciation of compassion & in anticipation of liberation,
HSUS is the Humane Society of the United States.