Today there are many television shows and advertisements all around pointing at saving animals and how they are suffering. They also show the horrible conditions that some animals live in to make you really think about how you can help save and nurture animals back to life. The advertisements tug at your heartstrings as the image of a poor seemingly defenseless chicken is stuck in a tiny cage and not allowed to move more than a foot in either direction. Some images of a deceased, mutilated pig flashes on the screen and that feeling of disgust comes down upon you. These are meant to jumpstart a feeling of “Am I actually eating that when I fry up the bacon in the morning?” That’s how these big organizations get their supporters they recruit people which feel the same way about those pictures.
PETA or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is one of the largest and most powerful pro animal organizations in the world. PETA has over three million fans on Facebook (1) . They are a leader in forces behind getting companies to stop using animal products and stop any cruelty to animals they can. Many advertisements are funded through PETA in order to try and make people aware of cruelty to animals and animal rights. They have a tendency to show only the worst of the worst conditions that animals endure. Another member in the fight against animal cruelty is the SSCS or the Sea Sheppard Conservation Society and their main object is marine life and the quality in which it should have. You may have heard of the show Whale Wars on the station Animal Planet before and yes they are the same organization. “Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. Our mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.” (2) . The last and final organization that I will bring up is the Animal Liberation Front ALF who have been in many scandals in the past years for their tactics used to stop animal cruelty. Their mission is to “To abolish institutionalized animal exploitation because it assumes that animals are property.” (3) .
These are just some of the organizations that are out there saying that they are helping animals and giving “justice” that they supposedly deserve. I am writing this in opposition to these corporations because of the unwillingness to accept common practices in the harvest of animals. These people do not understand that humans have been eating meat and harvesting animals so it is common. The animal rights groups are blinded by their own ignorance and they try to push it on anyone who passes by into a life of vegetarianism. So if you have not noticed I will be ranting and raving about the topic of animal rights and how absurd it is to have these multimillion dollar corporations out their thinking they help everyone by doing this.1. Animals, People for the Ethical Treatment of. Community of PETA. peta.org. [Online] 2011. http://www.peta.org/community/default.aspx.
2. Society, Sea Shepherd Conservation. Who We Are. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. [Online] 2011. http://www.seashepherd.org/who-we-are/.
I found this approach to this issue very interesting, and against the normal point of view. I think it would be interesting for you to explore the organizations with more detail. I know that the Animal Liberation Front has committed terrorist acts, so it would be interesting if you explore that aspect more. I thought the paper was well thought out and well written.
ReplyDeleteI'm very interested in hearing the other side of animals rights. I know many people who think animals are animals not humans. You bring our many good points because it's about the money as well. This is a very good topic, and I'm looking forward to reading more. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI also find it interesting that you have chosen to oppose these animal rights groups. I have read about their extreme tactics and hope that I get to read about some of them in your future blogs.
ReplyDeleteI have a similar opinion on how these animal rights groups advertise a biased view on how animals are always being abused. However, as you said humans have been harvesting animals for centuries and will most likely continue to do so for centuries to come. I believe that these groups are productive in regards to being whistle blowers and calling out people who abuse animals. These groups are necessary and we are fortunate to have them when people have dog fights, chicken fights, or hoard cats. However, when they make me feel guilty about eating steak every week, having chicken all the time, and consistently portray animals being tortured or treated inhumanely then I get irritated. I feel that the animal rights people are no different than abortion activists, because they are trying to force their lifestyle on others and that is not right. Your post was well written and was very informative.
ReplyDeleteTo Alyssa thank you for your comment I am trying to go through each organization that I listed and see in what ways they are illinformed or just seem to only see one side of the truth.
ReplyDeleteI like that fact that you have went a completely different way than most people in the class. Most are doing blogs about human on human crimes, but it is nice to read something that is on a different level. Very interesting topic choice.
ReplyDeletegreat topic and great blog. i would like to add that these organizations, whether right or wrong to others, are focusing on the wrong issue. they argue that no animal should be slaughtered because they have feelings too. i too find it unfortunate that these animals must suffer, but no in the sense that they are killed but how they live their life. some might say that we can live a healthy life without animal meat but i find interesting how humanity has been eating meat since its creation. yes they ate fruits and greens, but also hunted and ate meat.
ReplyDelete