PETA and Sexism (Part 1: Women)

Anyone who has heard the word “vegan” in their lives or is part of the vegan community, chances
are,would have heard about the organisation PETA, the “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals”. This is an organisation that is filled to the brim with controversies and backlash. For good reason too. Their campaigns have touched on sensitive topics such as the comparing of chicken caged in slaughter houses to the HOLOCAUST. That’s right. The holocaust. And guess where PETA decided to publish and spread the ad? Germany. Way to pour salt to the effing wound PETA. So naturally, the ad was banned in the country. Rightfully so.

But the point of the post is not about that, something else that PETA does that makes me feel offended and personally attacked as a woman. Yes. Woman. In this post I’m going to talk about PETA and sexism, and how they use women, and occasionally men, in their campaigns and for their causes and agenda and WHY I have a huge problem with this.

So to start, I’m going to show you some of the ways PETA exploits women in their campaigns and some examples of their works.

I warn you now, the photos I am about to show are both horrifying, disgusting and repulsive. Overall questionable and weird. NOT SAFE FOR WORK. You have been warned. 

The collection of photos comes from veganfeministnetwork.com
 And yeah there are other organisations that do stuff like this. There’s a complete list at veganfeministnetwork.com


 I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur Campaign

Ok. I get the sentiment. I do. I really do. You don’t want to wear fur or leather, as the process of making it causes extreme pain and harm for the animals. BUT, does that mean walking around nude, parading in nothing but lingerie?

NO.

 Yeah fur and leather is a huge problem ethics wise, but there are OTHER materials used in fashion, such as cotton, nylon and other synthetic materials, such as fake leather and fake fur to REPLACE REAL FUR AND LEATHER. Heck, Stella McCartney has NEVER used real fur or leather in her works. And her clothes are georgeous. 

So why not wear Stella MCartney instead.

Point being, is, just because you don’t wear leather or fur doesn’t mean you have to show off your bosoms wherever you go and be nude. 

Also, it is sexist to women by using the “sex sells” strategy, especially with women. Not everyone is a horny virgin waiting to be penetrated okay? Not everyone is turned on by sexy women! And sexy women is just that. Sexy women. It has nothing to do with vegnism in the slightest bit.

Because everyone loves a sexy naked woman! That'll make us go vegan! 

And then there’s this. All three campaigns aren’t even about wearing fur or leather and does not imply as such! 

So why on earth are there naked women in the picture?!

I'll tell you why. Because who doesn't like a sexy women? Nude, sexy women with a big asset? 

Peta thinks that by using naked women in 

their campaigns, they'll turn people on and make them go vegan because they see a sexy lady in an ad encouraging people to go vegan. They're essentially using women's bodies to attract people and attention. 

Again, "sex sells".

No. Just. No. That's not how people work. 

For me, at least I would be repulsed and probably not go vegan. Which is the opposite of what PETA is hoping for. 

What in the actual fuck is going on here? 

I don't even want to know what's going on here. But showing women's boobs, even if it's fake cow ones, is not only sexist, but just downright disgusting and leaves a sour taste in your mouth. 

AGAIN With the Naked Woman!

Like it literally just says "I am a Vegan". If the naked woman is about going anti fur/leather, like I said before. You can be anti fur/leather and still have your pants on! There's other materials such as synthetic materials that are completely animal free. So no, you don't have to be nude to be anti fur/leather. Like if being a vegan means walking around in public nude with lingerie or vegatables for lingerie than no thank you. I have my dignity to preserve, not only as a woman, but as a human being. 

Hall of PETA Shame:

Peta has defended it's actions by saying that the women in their ads and campaigns are completely willing to be in their ads and campaigns and have given their consent. 

Consent is important. I'll give them that much. But they do not speak on behalf of ALL women, me included. Just because a celebrity or a model has given their consent to do things like this doesn't mean it is acceptable, that it's okay. There are women who would oppose things like this. 

Because many women, including me, do not want to be seen as toy things, sexual objects, if you may. Or being compared to pieces of meat. 

We want to be treated with respect. We dont want our bodies to be used by people or organisations alike. Especially when it is used for a certain agenda, such as veganism. 

I, myself, as a female, get SUPER uncomfortable when I see this ad and campaigns as I hate how women are portrayed and treated in these ads and campaigns. 

This video by Anacondriac sums it up pretty much. And has good points too!

But I know it's not just females PETA is targeting. My next post will be on how PETA targets the average Joe (man).