When I first decided to become a vegan, I researched online how to continue to eat healthy foods, while eschewing all meat, milk and eggs.  One of the sites I visited was sponsored by PETA, and had some good information, including a free pamphlet I sent off for.

This is how PETA obtained my address.  I recently received a request for money (uncleverly disguised as a referedum questionaire) from them.  Having little to no time today, I wrote a short reply:

Dear PETA,

          As a vegan, I appreciate your efforts and intentions.  Originally, I was just going to write a brief note explaining that I currently am underemployed and have $.78 in my bank account.  However, even if I were flush with cash, I would not be donating any money to your organization.

The main problem is not that PETA is extreme, it is that the organization's tactics to garner attention are blatantly and horrifically sexist.  I have tried to defend your various campaigns, and I even liked the campaign where actresses posed saying they would rather go naked than wear fur, but women in cages?  Really?

Until your tactics change to show that you are not pushing one agenda at the expense of another, you will receive no money from me, nor any of my vegan/vegetarian friends.  Currently, I cannot support an organization that uses the women in its ranks as a mere commodity or for shock value.  Until you show women the respect and care you are willing to show animals, you will never receive a dime for me.  I do not feel like I can even use your free stickers because I do not want PETA associated with me until the organization shows some sort of enlightenment about gender equality.

If you are unclear about the various advertising atrocities you have committed against women, go to feministing.com and search "PETA".  It should enlighten you as to why I find you horrifically offensive and why there is a Facebook group called "People Against Peta: Stop Sexist Advertising Now!"

Sincerely, Jennifer

My main thought in crafting this reply is that unless I explain WHY I refuse to donate money, organizations will continue to behave horribly.  I may not be marching in the streets, but I still consider a small activist moment.

1

You recommended

1 Comments

September 8, 2008 7:35 PM

[0+|0-]  AnUnfunnyFeminist said:

I wonder if they'll still send you stuff. If they do, I think you should reiterate what you said here and explicitly state that you don't wish to get anymore mail from them. Part of me thinks they'll still send you stuff just to be a bother.

I call PETA's sexist tactics "back burner activism." And I define that as an organization who ignores or strips the rights and dignity of a group of people (or animals) in order to further their own agenda. There is a way to respect women and promote animal rights, but PETA chooses to use sexism to their advantage. Very sad.

I  Liked | Disliked  Liked Disliked this comment  |  Reply |

Leave a comment

Comments (You may use HTML tags for style)