"If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich."
-- John F. Kennedy
PETA Weighs in on Obesity
19 August 2009
by Anai Rhoads
AnaiRhoads.org -- The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is best known for their controversial and often nonsensical animal welfare campaigns. Whether it is a nude woman exclaiming that she would rather go naked than wear fur," or a group of people dressed up like poultry to ask KFC to humanely slaughter their chickens, no one can deny PETA has been notorious for their protests.
According to their Go Naked! page, "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!)."
However, PETA's latest campaign doesn't aim for lovely ladies. It has, however, left the general public further questioning the organisation's ethics. "Save the Whales - Lose the Blubber: Go Vegetarian," is a direct hit against overweight men and women. The billboard displays a drawing of an overweight woman's back in a bikini, comparing her body to blubber.
The PETA Files blog reads: "Luckily, we know the secret to getting - and maintaining - a killer beach bod. Did you know that vegetarians are 20 to 30 percent leaner than meat-eaters? So, to help residents and tourists "lose the blubber" - and hopefully to deter prank callers - we're launching a brand-new billboard urging people to go vegetarian."
However, what PETA does not mention is that not all vegetarians and vegans are thin. Some are actually obese – so this campaign not only offends meat-eaters who are obese, but also overweight PETA supporters and donors.
The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) found no humour in this campaign, instead they are demanding the removal of these billboards at once. In addition, the coalition is asking PETA to end their online campaign. The OAC believes says these ads are inappropriate, since no individual should be discriminated against based on their size or weight.
"This campaign blatantly stigmatises the overweight and obese. OAC fails to find the informational value of promoting vegetarianism through the hurtfulness of mocking the obese," said Joseph Nadglowski, OAC President and CEO.
Currently, there are approximately 93 million affected by obesity in the United States. This number accounts for nearly one-third of the population in the U.S. They are often discriminated against for how they look, and this campaign isn't helping matters. PETA's message only solidifies society's "version" of what is considered beautiful.
The OAC seeks an apology from the founder of PETA, Ingrid Newkirk, for her organisation's attack on those who are obese or morbidly obese.
If you are a PETA supporter, please consider what kind of message these kinds of campaigns are sending to those in these situations. Discrimination of any kind should never be tolerated.
We ask that you to please call PETA's media department at (202) 483-7382, extension 2199 and ask them to rethink their "Save the Whales - Lose the Blubber: Go Vegetarian" campaign. You may also use their media form to write out a letter. Above all, be civil in order to get your point across.
