PETA

By Zainab Jaffry

PETA is a non-profit, American, animal rights organization that provides awareness, guidance, and a voice. Their name stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. They post helpful articles pertaining to veganism, animal cruelty, and innovative ways of committing to a practical, cruelty-free lifestyle. The organization was founded in March 1980 by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco, and it is based in Norfolk, Virginia.

Although their message is of great importance, they often spark controversy among activists. Feminists often find PETA’s advertisements to be objectifying of women. On one hand, PETA is spreading awareness in order to help the animal cruelty-free cause, and on the other PETA is putting down the feminist cause. Many vegans have a love-hate relationship with the organization due to their double standards. I think animal rights is an incredibly important cause; however, there is no need for women to be overly sexualized and objectified for the point to be translated across to the audience. If PETA could spread the love without putting anything or anybody down, I believe they would gain much more support.