Misconception Monday: All Vegans Love PETA

It's always assumed that if you're vegan or vegetarian that you must be a card-carrying PETA member but this may or may not be the case. Although many can agree with PETA's mission of promoting a cruelty-free lifestyle and exposing the countless hidden realities behind animal exploitation, they sometimes feel that PETA's use of extreme tactics can turn people off.


Don't get me wrong - I think they've done some really incredible work in the campaign for animal rights. But unfortunately they usually pander to those already behind the cause. Those already "on their side" don't need all the in-your-face tactics like throwing paint on people wearing fur coats or naked women protesting. And for those not already "on their side", it usually winds up turning them off. When you come off like you're alienating and judging people it only makes them want to not listen to you anymore.


My opinion is that there isn't enough education out there for people to make informed choices. What I mean is that while the information is definitely out there, you usually have to go looking for it. There are billions and billions of dollars being spent by big corporations to brainwash people into believing things that aren't true. Like how high fructose corn syrup is natural because it's made from corn and therefore can't bad for you. I had to correct one of my co-workers recently because she told me she believes that whatever she sees in a commercial has to be true. And that's the scary reality. When all you hear is how "milk does a body good", why would you ever think otherwise?


This is where PETA comes in. More money is donated to PETA than pretty much any other animal rights group. Unfortunately it's still only a minute fraction of what big corporations are able to spend on advertising. This is why we think things like meat and dairy are good for us (Got Milk? and Beef: It's What's For Dinner)... That Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is "The Greatest Show On Earth"... That SeaWorld is a happy place "Where Worlds Connect"... And so on and so on...


So perhaps that's why they're so extreme? Because when you're going up against huge companies like McDonald's, Iams, and KFC, fashion designers like Donna Karan or even an entire country (the Canadian Seal Slaughter) you need to get more bang for your buck? Whatever the reason, I think that more people would listen if you just present the facts in a non-judgmental, non-confrontational manner. 


But maybe that's just me because that's the reason why I started this blog.  =)