This article is part of a PRO/CON opinion piece on PETA. To view the opposing side, see here.
Friday, March 19, 2010
By Alexa Renee Harrison
Staff Writer
It is impossible to stop all types of suffering, but that doesn’t mean that efforts shouldn’t be made to stop any. In a world of limitless options there have are plenty of ways for people to feed, clothe, and entertain themselves that do not involve the killing of animals. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals may have flaws, but at least it is doing something to try to end animal cruelty.
PETA is an organization dedicated to establishing and defending the rights of all animals. It is composed of thousands of dedicated members willing to defend those who are unable to defend themselves.
Many argue that PETA’s actions are too drastic. Although everyone is entitled to an opinion as well as freedom of action, PETA exercises its rights and acts upon its beliefs, even if it takes extreme action.
PETA should be loud. Except for indecent claims, the First Amendment guarantees Americans the right to state any opinion they please, and PETA should utilize this.
The very essence of a movement such as PETA is to tell others what to do, and no matter the size of such a movement, it will encounter opposition. Despite such opposition, one cannot disagree with the progress PETA has with animal protection.
PETA has helped countless animals escape the unjust fate arbitrarily assigned to them. Through campaigns, street protests, investigative work, congressional involvement, consumer boycotts and international media coverage, PETA has amassed a significant amount of victories and furthered animal rights faster than any other social movement.
In 1989 PETA persuaded Avon, Amway, Kenner, and Hasbro to stop animal testing. Also, the retail store Forever 21 permanently banned fur after PETA mobilized activists to hold protests outside of stores.
The effectiveness of some PETA protests, such as the drenching of fur coats in blood, is often questioned. However, PETA was built to educate others and raise awareness of its cause, and controversial techniques can indeed accomplish this. These actions have been successful in bringing attention to the cause of animal rights.
Despite the possible excessiveness of PETA, anyone who goes to great lengths to make a point for a just cause deserves respect, and surely it is agreeable that the elimination of suffering is a just cause.
Many argue that if animal cruelty was so horrible, it would be illegal. Legality is no guarantee of morality. Who does and who doesn’t have legal rights is determined by the opinions of legislators. Child labor, human slavery and the oppression of women were all legal in the U.S. once, but that does not mean they were ethical.
PETA needs to be extreme in order to gain the public’s attention. PETA may not be perfect, but it has spread its message of animal rights and educated millions in the process.
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