Final Blog
PETA is by far the main player in the movement against animal cruelty. For those significantly familiar with PETA they will be aware of the controversy that tends to follows them. While they have a huge following they also have their share of critics. However, there is no denying that PETA is a very effective organization which has been very successful in advancing the humane treatment of animals and there are numerous fundamental reasons for their success.
In terms of structure, PETA is quite the opposite of the SDS organization described by Gitlin. PETA has a very wide structural base which has made it possible to support a very large following. In additional to their home base in Virginia they have a large number of satellite offices not only throughout the U.S. but around the world. While their paid staff numbers some 200, they claim a membership following in the order of 100,000 members. So while they are international in scope, they are also very much in tune to regional animal cruelty activity. Their highly energized following gives their activist teams the ability to quickly pounce on local animal cruelty occurrences of interest.
As in the successful campaigns of the Civil Rights movement and the anti-Vietnam War movement, effective leadership is of utmost importance. Leaders set the energy, tone, and the direction of the movement. The media will seek the leaders out and they must have the ability to represent the whole of their following and to communicate their cause consistently and effectively. This is another area where PETA is very strong. First of all, they have an iconic figure in Ingrid Newkirk as their leader. In addition, they are organized such that each of the various components of their organization has a very effective spokesperson to comment on their intentions and to defend their actions.
As stated in the readings, a fundamental problem with many movements or organizations has to do with ineffective focus. The general problem is that the goals outlined are unrealistic. Unattainable goals are a huge drag on the organization which typically leads to internal group chaos and diminishing membership. Visit one of the many PETA websites. Their mission statement and where they will focus their resources will be clearly stated. PETA’s main mission is concentrated in four areas where they feel that they can have the most impact in helping the maximum number of animals. These four areas are factory farms, laboratories, the fur industry, and entertainment.
Another important subject dealing with the effectiveness of a movement, that was one of the main topics in this class, has to do with tactics. What tactical approaches are appropriate was a question that was considered. After reviewing many blogs, it seems to me that the general consensus amongst class members was that a peaceful initial approach is important to establish credibility, but that radical approaches can be effective and many times are called for. Well, this is an area where PETA is very creative. They are convinced that “outrageous” tactics are very effective because they get the attention desired. Their tactics cover a very wide spectrum from writing letters expressing concern for certain practices to photographic surveillance to infiltrating companies suspected of wrongdoing and video taping their operations. They have been very successful in gathering information from such tactical approaches and making a case in court on behalf of the humane treatment of animals. They are very familiar with the Animal Welfare Act and with insisting that the USDA uphold the law. A significant portion of PETA’s success is based on their tactical abilities to get results.
The ability to appropriately frame your cause is another important component of protest. For highly visible movements, such as defending animals against cruelty, the goal is to get the general public to side with your cause. To this end PETA is very effective at educating the public. They do a very good job of keeping their protest in the news. They have an awesome web presence which makes use of all of the modern internet facilities from web pages to blogs to videos on YouTube. Plus as most people who know anything about PETA, they are very willing to provide you with the information on how to become a vegan. Their priority to educate the public to their cause is definitely one of their strongpoint.
PETA has been running in high gear for some 20 years now. A very valid question is, how do they do it? I believe that their long term success is rooted in their collective energy. This energy comes from being passionate for the cause and being aggressive in their protest approach. You can sum it up by saying that PETA has established the ability to maintain the “right attitude”.
In conclusion PETA has been very successful in furthering the cause for humane treatment of animals because, as an organization, they are built for success. Some of the most significant reasons for their success have been discussed. In my opinion the effectiveness of PETA’s efforts has made for a better humane society.
5 Articles
PETA Headstone Hides Anti-KFC Secret Recipe
I believe that PETA used very bad judgment in placing a tombstone in the Cave Hill Cemetery near the monument of Col. Sanders, with the sole purpose being to discredit the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants. The first letter of each line inscribed on the poem on the tombstone spelled out vertically the message “KFC TORTURES BIRDS”. There are many ways for PETA to demonstrate or protest their dissatisfaction with KFC, but making a political statement in a cemetery is totally out of line. This one only adds to the many such radical acts that PETA is known for and can only degrade what they work so hard to accomplish. I have to admit I don’t agree with PETA on this one. I feel their tactics were wrong and grossly disrespectful.
http://www.wnbc.com/news/15033006/detail.html
Wimbledon ‘breaking law by killing pigeons’
Killing pigeons at the tennis tournament at Wimbledon by the use of marksmen, because of complains by the players, definitely seems extreme. I too agree with PETA on this one. No matter how annoying pigeons can be they too are protected under England’s Animal Welfare Act of 2006 which states that “lethal control can only be used if the target species presents a demonstrable risk to public health and safety.” The club tried to take the easy way out, and used the marksmen as a sort of first resort, not the last resort. This was a definite sign of cruelty against an innocent animal, just because they were an inconvenience. No one should be allowed to go to extremes based on inconvenience.
PETA to line up in protest; Animal rights group to demonstrate at Preakness, Belmont for first time in wake of death of filly at Derby
PETA demonstrating at the remaining Triple Crown races (Preakness and Belmont) on behalf of the cruelty against racehorses is a just protest. According to PETA almost two horses a day die or need to be euthanized in commercial horse racing. Raising awareness of how the horses are treated, plus the fact that drugs are being used so they can race regardless if they are injured is desperately needed. Considering that the horse racing industry has no governing body, the safety of the horses is a last consideration in “an industry about speed and profit.” With PETA sending a message loud and clear, hopefully this will move the industry to make the right changes to insure the safety of the horses, a much needed improvement for the betterment of the horse racing industry.
PETA calls on Calgary Zoo to change handling of elephants
I applaud PETA’s actions reported in this article. Expressing the best interest of both the human and the animal is commendable. I agree with PETA that the next best thing to eliminating the keeping of elephants in captivity altogether is to insure the safety of both the animals and their keepers. By changing the handling method to a “protected-contact” management approach, accidents can be prevented when handling such huge animals. Considering an elephant’s shear size and presence many things can go wrong. Continuing to use the old “free-contact” style is just an accident waiting to happen. It would be a disaster if any would have to be euthanized because of the negligence on the zoo’s part. Using corporal punishment can also enhance incidents, which can be fatal for both the keeper and elephant. This is a great cause on PETA’s behalf – protecting the welfare of such magnificent animals as well as their keepers. The article states that several North American zoos are already using the protected-contact management method and it works. This should be an incentive for every zoo to change their practices. The outcome can only benefit all involved.
PETA Tells Kids to Run From Daddy
I have to agree that PETA is using their influence in very bad taste. I totally disagree and disapprove of their handout entitled “Your Daddy Kills Animals” where they portray an angler dad as “hooked on killing”. Their tactics are once again malicious. Trying to scare children and using false accusations just to turn their heads forcefully into seeing their point of view is very destructive. It’s hard enough that in this world parents have so many bad influences that they need to tackle to ensure the best interest of their children without someone trying to convince their kids that their own parents are a threat. I feel that PETA has gone a bit far on this one. They are targeting the wrong crowd; kids are not fully capable of deciding what is best for them at this time. That is why parents are so important at this stage of their lives. Trying to degrade such an important component of a child’s life is unacceptable. There is no need to attack innocence.
Opinion Assignment 4
I agree with Naomi Klein’s position that today’s “corporatized” form of protest is less powerful and less dangerous in contrast to the numerous other movements or styles of protest that have been discussed in this class. It seems to me that today’s approach is significantly based on personal convenience whereas in the past it was based more on personal sacrifice. It is my guess that if you ask the general public what are the major movements at play in our society today most people would struggle to give an answer. The most popular answer that I think you would get would have to do with the Iraq war or immigration. However, in terms of movements of the caliber of the anti-Vietnam war and Civil Rights protests that were very visible and constantly in the news, who are these groups today? Here in the U.S., today’s society is pretty outspoken about the topics of Iraq and immigration, but these are different from an actual movement or organized radical activism. The present activism approach is weaker because it does not attack the root of the problem like how it would have been treated in the past. In the case of fighting poverty, how does one get governments to interact in this global economy? What about the governmental parties who are responsible for the unacceptable distribution of food around the world? The Bono-ization approach is a means of helping a given problem, but does not address the crux of a given issue.
There are numerous reasons why activism is different today. One reason cited in the Delaney article, where long time activist Peter Tatchell is quoted, is that today “there is a sense of political powerlessness plus there has been a shift to the right.” My interpretation as to what is meant here by a “shift to the right” is that the activism approach is more conservative based – which goes along with the dominant political stance. Maybe another way of saying it is to say that the approach is less liberal therefore less radical. The sense of powerlessness to those more liberal minded is that those in power are doing what they want and are in a position to ward off radical tactics. So if you are in favor of radical change you can yell and scream all you want, but it seems like nobody is listening.
Another fundamental reason why activism is different today is a result of the internet. The internet provides many ways for someone to vent and express their true feeling about their choice issue. This is all well and good but once again because this energy is not effectively focused and organized it is a much weaker means of bringing about radical change. When it comes to the use of computers today there is a word that is used a lot and that word is “virtual”. I can envision having a virtual protest on the internet where many participants take place but it is not the type of activism that puts significant pressure on those responsible for a given problem. I do not mean to imply that the Internet is not a powerful tool, but as a tool it should be a component of protest but not the main thrust behind activism.
Additionally, the Bono-ization style of protest, while it offers many the opportunity to participate, is a weak form of engagement on the part of most individual participants. Civil Rights change, defeating the Equal Rights Amendment, and working to end the war in Vietnam required the ultimate in human energy and sacrifice by those who participated in those movements. As pointed out by Klein, in referring to the Bono camp, “I think people go to concerts because its fun but I don’t get a sense from anyone I talk to that it’s effective politically.” It is not necessarily a total embrace or affirmation on the part of the participants of all that the main spokesperson subscribes to. Whereas protests like the Freedom Riders and anti-Vietnam movement involved passionate participants. I do not see the Bono-ization style of protest having a big impact on these types of challenges.
I think that there is an interesting component in the struggle within the gay and lesbian movement presented by Hequembourg and Arditi that can be contrasted against present versus past protest approaches. The internal gay and lesbian struggle is divided by the argument over assimilation. One group, those in favor of assimilation, is for extending their rights by “gaining access to heterosexual privilege.” The non-assimilationist group is interested in a “radical break with conventional understandings of sexuality” and in “transforming the very fabric of society.” The group in favor of assimilation argues that gaining such rights, which equates to a partial transformation, is a good idea because it is through such successive transformations that you ultimately end up getting what you want. The other group argues that by accepting to be “pigeon-holed” into how mainstream society is structured that they run the risk of being “domesticated” and will never be able to realize their ultimate goal which is to be free to define acceptable relationships. The assimilationist’s position compares to the Bono-ization approach, as described by Klein, in that both approaches “are legitimizing the structures in place, and the inequalities that arise from these structures, rather than promoting any radical change.” The non-assimilationist’s are for confronting the opposition by use of radical tactics in the hope of eventually getting what they feel they deserve.
In conclusion, as a standalone approach to protest, I think that today’s Bono-ization style of protest is weak. It does have the attribute of working effectively from within, given the access from the wealthy to government leaders. However, the cause of the problem being addressed is not necessarily the target of this type of protest. In order to be effective in achieving radical change it also requires the “in your face”, confrontational form of engaged activism.
Text Assignment 4
In reference to the SDS student antiwar movement of the 60’s, what Gitlin means by “the observer changed the position of the observed” is that the group’s message was being “reframed” by the media. Numerous reasons are cited as to why it happened. The underlying reason has to do with SDS’s structural organization.
One of the fundamental reasons why the framing of the message is difficult for certain movements like SDS to control is a result of the tendency or assumption by the media in the way that it treats the news. In the case of the SDS approach in the anti-war movement, the media at that time tended to “unthinkingly” treat defiance “as a sort of crime.” They were portrayed as extremist and that “the New Left was dangerous to the publics good.” Gitlin also comments that news was treated such that “news concerns the event, not the underlying condition; the person, not the group; conflict, not consensus; the fact that advances the story, not the one that explains it.” Considering the bias of the news media coupled with how the news was treated, it is understandable how the framing of the message can be easily manipulated by the “observed” (the news media in this case). A fair question that can be asked is, why did SDS allow their message to be framed in a different light? The answer has to do with their structure, how they were organized. Basically, they were not in a position to prevent or control it.
It is mentioned that the SDS structure was built to support a “tiny organization, a network of so called Old Guard elite clusters living in intense political and personal community.” The structure was further weakened by the media’s role in the recruitment of activists. SDS as an organization was not able to absorb this change. These recruits were known as the Prairie Power people. They were more radical minded than the founding SDS leaders, they wore longer hair, used obscene language, and smoked dope. The media did not only help produce this change of guard situation, but then turned around and played it up. “In its beginning as a mass organization was its end.”
Another problem, again pointing to structural issues, had to do with leadership accountability. An underlying problem was that the group did not have it all together in terms of the clarity of their message. One outcome of this situation was that some leaders were reluctant to lead. They had to contend with the picture being painted by the media and the challenge of getting the fragmented co-leaders and members to go along. Many of their most able leaders ended up leaving. Additionally, they did not have built in control or checks and balances to prevent leaders from speaking out of turn or for keeping them from migrating to celebrity status. When this occurred an individual leader was conveying the message that he wanted as opposed to the message that the overall group was trying to frame. These internal structural issues led to making them very vulnerable to the media.
The problems mentioned above are along the line that SDS was not built for success. This weakness in structure made it difficult for them to contend with many challenges that came their way. SDS’s position was complicated by the actions of other groups operating outside their domain. There were numerous small groups that grabbed a lot of attention, such as burning of draft cards and those that associated themselves with communist themes. SDS had problems separating themselves from the activities of such groups. Another problem was that they were not in a position to withstand the attacks by the right wing. As a result of all of these issues, the outcome of it all was that their goals ended up beyond what they could achieve.
In my opinion, the movement that was most affected, in a positive way, by the presence of media coverage was the Civil Rights movement. In contrast to the SDS situation, the mainstream aspects of the Civil Rights movement was rooted in strong leadership, a clear message, and given their approach of passive resistance, they could not be characterized as radical. While there were radical groups at play, what I am referring to here is the main part of the movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King.
The more media attention the Civil Rights movement got the more sympathetic, not only people in this country but around the world, became to their cause. The display of the cruel treatment of the peaceful protesters, by the police and others in positions of authority, was difficult to ignore. The steady and consistent message delivered by Dr. King was loud and clear. Dr King attracted constant media attention which he used very effectively to keep the movement progressing at a rapid pace. He was not interested in waiting any longer for the rights that they were being denied. In this country trumpeting their democratic beliefs it became more and more difficult to deny blacks, and all citizens of the country for that matter, the rights guaranteed for all. It seems to me that the media coverage of the Civil Rights movement accelerated their cause.
In conclusion, it is important for a group or movement to have a single voice. This is not necessarily making reference to a single person, but rather to a strong and clear message. It was mentioned by Gitlin that the Women’s movement has learned from the experiences of the New Left and has worked to decentralized leadership and “spokespersonship”. Bottom line, as an organization, be it small or large, you need to be structured in line with being able to achieve the desired goals, and to a very significant extent this means that you need to know how to deal effectively with the media.
Opinion Assignment 3
When the word “radical” is used to describe the tactics used by a movement the mind seems to go back to Malcolm X’s mandate of “by any means necessary.” This can easily lead to thoughts of physical confrontations with police or acts of terrorism. For the most part, the radical tactics discussed this week stopped short of these extreme radical approaches but nevertheless can be characterized as “in your face” approaches. As to the question of whether the radical tactics presented are acceptable, it seems to me that it is dependant on whether there is an appropriate degree of fairness or truth involved.
The two articles in this week’s readings that discuss the Clothesline project are very good examples to contrast this “fairness” argument. While the intent of the project, which is to bring attention to the problem of rape, is a good idea for many reasons, but putting the picture of an alleged assailant on a demonstration t-shirt is not only problematic but is unfair. As it was pointed out, some 50% of rape accusations end up being false allegations. With rape being such a serious crime, putting a rape suspect’s picture on a t-shirt without the person having been tried can be ruinous to an innocent victim. I happen to be able to provide a good example of this problem. I am aware of a person who was accused of rape when I was in high school. The authorities waited until this person’s 18th birthday to arrest him so that he could be tried as an adult. The person was hauled off and locked up. It took this young man’s mother enormous effort to get her son released on probation. To cut to the chase, the charges were dropped by the accuser because the accusation was false in the first place. While the person was innocent all along, in today’s electronic age what will be the negative impact in this person’s life for just having been accused? Who would want such an accusation to come up in a background check for a job? How many employers would bypass such a job candidate simply based on this false accusation?
In the case of sidewalk picketing by the pro-life movement, this is an acceptable radical tactical approach. While it may be disruptive to the business being picketed, the ultimate goal is to bring attention to the group’s anti-abortion stance. There is no hidden agenda. Those that observe the picketing recognize that at play is the struggle between the pro-life and pro-choice movements.
Social movements vary significantly in structure, resources, abilities and emotional makeup. The reasoning behind the use of radical tactics varies just as widely. My interpretation of the readings is that it is their overall makeup in contrast to the obstacles that they are trying to influence that in many cases lead to the use of radical tactical approaches. It is difficult to judge when the circumstances call for radical action, but there are fundamental reasons for their use.
One fundamental reason that leads to the use of radical tactics is when the injustice is so great but the movement is too small or insignificant to be heard. If one considers a movement’s monetary resources as an example, in a study by Francis Fox Piven and Richard Cloward of poor people’s movements, they argued that “the most powerful tool of the oppressed is their ability to disrupt things.” It seems to me that such groups would resort to tactics that would fall under the “by any means necessary”. Another good example of this is provided by the blog on the Human Rights of Native American Women by April Greyeyes, a student in this class. Consider the women enduring domestic violence and rape in remote areas of Alaska. What do they have to do to be heard? It seems that the issue calls for drastic action.
Another scenario that seems to bring about drastic action by a movement is when the “enemy” is perceived to be too powerful. A good example of this is offered by DANs (Direct Action Network) efforts to significantly disrupt the WTO gathering in Seattle. They blocked the entrance to the convention center; they disrupted the proceedings inside, and demonstrated very effectively to the extent that no agreements were reached by the WTO member gathering. This was a huge movement undertaking where some 50,000 demonstrators participated. When your target is considered to be the “spearhead of the present surge toward economic globalization” and is made up of 135 member nations, what are you going to do?
Just to interject one more aspect that leads to radical behavior, and in which some groups simply believe that it is an effective tool. This seems to be the case for the movement that I chose to highlight in this class. PETA definitively employs such tactics and they openly admit it. Their president Ingrid Newkirk is quoted as having said that “the fact is we are the biggest group because we succeed in getting attention. … The fact is we may be doing all sorts of things on a campaign but the one thing that gets attention is the outrageous thing. It simply goes to prove to us each time that, that is the thing that’s going to work; and so we won’t shirk from doing that facet — in addition to all the other things we do that you never hear about because no one cares.” The degrees to which their approaches are valid probably vary. One tactic that they use is to infiltrate big companies such as Covance, which conducts tests on animals, and film their practices. They have been accused of doctoring the film to their advantage in making a particular point. To what extent that is true or false I do not know, but again it gets back to this situation of fairness. Is the behavior involved appropriate, or is the company being attacked in this case being misrepresented.
In conclusion, social movements vary significantly in their character, and just as significant are the reasons used to justify the use of radical tactics. In my opinion, “in your face” tactics have a place in social movements, but I believe that the decision as to whether to employ a given tactic should be judged with an eye on fairness.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_for_the_Ethical_Treatment_of_Animals
Text Assignment 3
PETA is definitely a conscious-raising group that aims to change society’s views on the treatment of animals. They have a mass following of some 1,100,000 members. The core organization itself consists of roughly 200 paid employees. This difference in the number of core group members versus the total volunteer army reveals differences in the emotions that drive this movement. PETA is dedicated in supporting a very wide spectrum of efforts from grass root efforts by all age groups in promoting a vegetarian way of life, and taking on the biggest corporations in the world in defending what they believe are rights of animals. Numerous tactics are employed, and a wide variety of emotions come into play, in addressing such a wide breath of activities and cultures for that matter.
The PETA movement is very well represented and organized on the internet. There are many web sites directly supported by PETA in their recruitment effort. For every age segment, such as children and youth age groups, there exists a dedicated website. In looking at these recruitment tools there are no punches pulled in terms of what the movement stands for, but the message is presented in a very positive light. The emotions that come into play in looking at the material offering are such emotions as love, respect, compassion and enthusiasm. Viewers of these websites are encouraged to become involved. Many ideas are provided for how to get involved. For example, in addressing kids, suggestions such as fundraising to help the local animal shelter are encouraged. These sites offer all of the modern internet ways to interact amongst members such as Facebook and Myspace. These serve as very good networking resources to share experiences and ideas. In addition, these websites present information on popular entertainment figures, games, and free merchandise giveaways. As you can see, the purpose here is involvement in a fun yet interacting way.
PETA’s main mission is concentrated in four areas where they feel that they can most impact in helping the maximum number of animals. These four areas are factory farms, laboratories, the fur industry and entertainment. In the core group of PETA addressing these areas, numerous additional emotions come into play such as anger, sadness, determination, and hope. In dealing with the cruelty to animals that occur in these segments, this is where the true battles are fought. No matter what approach they take there is always a high degree of controversy. For all of the perceived good work of PETA, by the general public you will readily find criticism towards their actions – many times by prominent public figures such as leaders of industry and senators. As is mentioned in the opinion assignment article, PETA makes no bones about the fact of employing radical tactics. They have been accused of providing funds to organizations such as the Animal Liberation Front, which is listed on the FBI’s terrorist groups list. PETA’s president Ingrid Newkirk “makes no apology for PETA’s support of activists who may break the law, writing that “no movement for social change has ever succeeded without ‘the militarism component’.” One can get an additional sense of the tension in the trenches by quoting Newkirk again on the subject of confrontation tactics – “Not until black demonstrators resorted to violence did the national government work seriously for civil rights legislation … In 1850 white abolitionists, having given up on peaceful means, began to encourage and engage in actions that disrupted plantation operations and liberated slaves. Was that all wrong?” It should be clarified that while their position on certain confrontational tactics are what they are, they are not known for employing these tactics themselves. However, as previously mentioned, they sometimes associate themselves with groups that do.
In my opinion, the face of the organization that is put forth to the public does not differ from that presented to members or potential recruits. However, as discussed above, there is a difference between their wide encompassing recruiting face and the face of the core group that does the trench work. As a result, many emotions and tactics come into play.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_for_the_Ethical_Treatment_of_Animals
Opinion Assignment 2
The reading material for this week pointed out that there is a huge inequality in how white women are viewed versus women of color. The discussion having to do with women of color had mainly to do with black women. One incident where this disparity is highlighted is with the Central Park jogger that was raped by a black man. This particular case got enormous publicity where the accused was characterized basically as a savage animal for the rape of a white woman. It was mentioned by Crenshaw that during the time of the trial more than 20 other rape cases were also tried in New York City courts. In one case in particular, a black woman was gang raped, sodomized, and thrown down a four story air shaft. On top of the crime done to her she ended up with serious injuries which included a broken pelvis and other broken bones. This particular case did not get any publicity at all. Because of this huge disparity in how women of different race are viewed it seems that it would be a good idea that in 2008 and going forward, two women, one white and one black, be figureheads in representing the women’s rights movement. The purpose would be to share the load and present a united front to help close the gap where women, regardless of race, can be viewed as one.
These two women must have some of those qualities that Rosa Parks had plus a whole lot more in order to drive the movement forward. In today’s movement, unlike Rosa Parks, these women do not have to be victims. What they must be are strong representatives of the cause. Like Mrs. Parks, these women must at least be of middle age in order to come across as having lived long enough to know about life. The other aspect that Rosa Parks had was that of flawless ethics. These women are going to have a lot of stones thrown at them just because of their position. Let it be that the criticism be based on their position on issues and not on their past personal wrongdoings. The experiences of Cindy Sheehan point out the types of harsh criticism that will have to be endured. In many cases the criticism was from other women and it ranged from the idea that she should go back to the kitchen where she belonged, to her son turning in his grave as a result of what she was doing.
These women must be well educated, have a passion for the issues that are going to be addressed and be great motivators. The readings point out that the issues that affect women are complicated. Take for example the situation of women enduring domestic violence, because the laws in place to help them end up being a threat to them from a deportation or the loss of their children, points of view. These iconic women must have the ability to speak out intelligently against such issues and be able to influence legislation for the better. It was pointed out the many reasons why people not only join movements but also why they choose to drop out. It is very difficult to keep a volunteer army motivated and working hard. There is no better motivator than to be making progress. These icons must be able to work together to unit the movement and keep it motivated through their common voice.
The question of religion, especially as it relates to a political stance on such important subjects as abortion is a very important one. In my opinion, it would be a good idea for one of the women to represent the pro choice position while the other one represent pro life. The idea here is not that one ultimately convinces the other to change there stance, but rather to work toward a common ground on how to strengthen society values to eliminate abortions. From the readings, it seems that at center of the issue is the right to have or not to have an abortion. I do not recall it being said from either side that abortions were a good thing.
It was a very smart move by the black leadership at the time of the Civil Rights movement to wait for the right person to represent that cause. Rosa Parks was a smart choice – an experienced, law abiding, middle aged, hard working and well regarded member of her community. Claudette Colvin was quite the opposite – a young inexperienced women whose upbringing and behavior were suspect. She would have provided plenty of ammunition for the anti-civil rights crowd to discredit the good work that was being done. The Colvin incident occurred when she was 15 years of age and it was reported that she was pregnant within one year of the incident. Just this situation alone coupled with the poor neighborhood where she was from would have caused many issues. Looking at this from one of the stereotypical views presented in the intersectionality article to the effect that a young black woman from a poor black neighborhood by default must be a whore from a young age. Colvin played right into this view by having become pregnant. She was unreliable, too young and of the wrong background.
At different times in history, different methods have been employed by movements such as high-jacking and rioting. In 2008 such actions are not what are called for by the women’s movement. What is needed is to attack the issues with intelligence and plenty of energy. The effort by the Mormon Church used to defeat the Equal Rights Amendment is a great example of the energy required to move a movement forward. These icons of the movement, one white and one black woman will greatly help the cause.
Text Assignment 2
PETA, the social movement that I chose, definitely has a collective identity and makes use of numerous frame methods in order to drive their cause. They have a very wide encompassing but focused mission statement which is to investigate, publicize, and end animal cruelty. One very effective method that is used to frame their cause is the use of video imagery of actual acts of cruelty to animals. They maintain a very good website that provides a wide array of information which also includes such videos. They have a huge and compassionate following, many of which are very famous personalities. They make very good use of famous movie stars for example to speak out on cruelty to animal issues. Another example of how they frame or publicize their cause is to make effective use of the news media. Their simply stated objective and the way that they go about getting their message out brings much attention to the work that they do and draws people from around the world to become a part of the movement.
The PETA movement has some very strong fundamental similarities to the pro-life movement. There is this common thread that they share that life, one concerning itself with children and the other with animals, is to be held in high regard. In the case of the pro-life movement the importance of a child that is brought into this world is placed at the highest level. The total needs of a child must be addressed with love and respect. In the case of PETA, they believe that if you are going to be responsible for animals that they should have the appropriate priority in your life. Like children, animals have needs, wants and emotions that need to be always taken into consideration. Pro-life is based on a Godly view of what is right and just for a healthy family. PETA activists have similar strong convictions about their specific animal interests.
The environmental movement is a challenge to industrial society. They argue that what is in the best interest of mankind should take priority over the driving force in our society which is growth. Similarly, PETA attacks the industrial establishment that has to do with animal production or experimentation when acts of cruelty are reported. Both of these movements are forces to be reckoned with. They both have a strong record of making use of the courts to change our industrial society for the better.
The PETA movement definitely has an iconic face. Her name is Ingrid Newkirk. She is probably the most famous animal rights activist in the world. She is the co-founder and current president of PETA. She is a tireless activist that speaks around the world and has published many books on the subject of cruelty to animals. She has a very interesting background and is very interesting person. Take a look at this icon of the cruelty to animal’s movement by visiting her website.
http://www.ingridnewkirk.com
PETA is committed to supporting grassroots efforts around the world. As for changes to be implemented to give PETA a better edge I strongly feel that there is none. They have proved many times over that they are doing everything within their power to better the humane treatment of animals. Given that they are a movement that is international the makeup of the total army of activists is very diverse. Race, gender, class, religion and political lines are crossed. One of their primary missions is to educate. You will find websites where they solicit the help of young people starting at the age of 13 asking them to get involved. Since their target cause is not human based, people of all walks of life are part of the PETA movement. I am not aware of any practices that are used to frame the movement that would lead to exclusion.
Opinion Assignment 1
In the case of comparing the approach of Martin Luther King to that of Malcolm X as it relates to the Civil Rights Movement, it seems to me that there was very little room for violent protest concerning the given cause. As for how their approaches related to those used by the other movements described in the readings for this week, violence and outright lawlessness was more of a negative than a positive.
Martin Luther King believed in the Ghandian approach, in bringing about change to unjust laws and for gaining rights guaranteed by those laws. However, Malcolm X’s approach is described as a multi-approach where one does whatever is necessary to bring about the desired change, including the use of violence. The positive outcomes of the Civil Rights movement are highly credited to the non-violence approach used by Martin Luther King. It was because of the actions of his intent that it became very difficult for the forces (local, state and national governments; police) resisting change to deal openly with the issue. Here it is, this great nation, rooted in democratic principals, in the news around the world denying certain people, based simply on race, their democratic rights. It was inevitable that logic would prevail in dealing with the most visible issues such as segregation, voting rights, and public transportation.
The Black Panther Party is a good example of how violence and lawlessness worked against that movement. As stated, those that have the power or the means are typically not willing to loose it or to give part of it away for that matter. You do not want to give those that oppose your movement a legal path to attack you. The Black Panther Party is described as having two movements, one above ground and the other underground. The above ground movement is credited for many positives that are part of our society to this day such as school lunch programs and rent assistance. However, it was their underground movement that caused their demise. The illegal activity dealing with narcotics and weapons going on with that part of their movement gave cause to the government to raid their offices and arrest their leadership.
The anti-Vietnam war protests are described as the most successful war protests ever. Unlike the successes of the civil rights movement being associated with Dr. King, the Vietnam War protests were a combination of numerous independent movements and tactics pointed at one common target. Such precise movements included draft resistance, civil disobedience and legal demonstrations. It was said that it got extremely difficult for President Johnson and his staff to travel because they were met with protests wherever they went. The wide arrays of approaches put into play were credited with quickly changing the course of the war and eventually bringing it to an end.
The gay rights movement is interesting in that it brought about much of the desired change very quickly. While it starting from a relatively small incident in Greenwich Village in New York City, the movement grew and spread quickly across the county. The main point here was gay pride. It brought about a radical change in thinking that led to many homosexuals and lesbians willing to “come out of the closet”. From this situation came the force that gave power to the gay liberation movement. While confrontations with police are mentioned, the political and social change came about by peaceful means.
The strong and successful movements have common aspects. They contain the ability to communicate, to get their message out. They have strong leadership, are well organized, and are rooted in education. A contrast of a strong versus a weak movement can be noticed by comparing the women’s movement to the Chicano movement. When the women’s ‘NOW’ movement was established, they were a relatively small group. However, the members were well educated and experts in the field of communications. So for such a small group, their message was loud and clear. In contrast, the Chicano movement did not have a good basis for organization. It did not establish a decent footing until affirmative action came about and Chicanos and Chicanas began to have opportunities for attending universities. So as pointed out by the readings, it is very important for a movement to have the right ingredients for success.
In my opinion, Dr. King’s approach versus that of Malcolm X, are not reconcilable within the same movement. The leadership within a given movement should convey a simple message and approach to bringing about the change desired. Attempting to make these two extremely different approaches work together would bring about confusion and conflict within the movement. It was mentioned that Malcolm X communicated to King’s wife that the reason why he openly attacked her husband in the media was to make him stronger. That by contrasting his views to that of Dr. King’s that those opposed to the movement would have to give thought as to which approach they would prefer to deal with. The readings do not suggest that King’s effectiveness is strengthened by this argument. In conclusion, the Martin Luther King strategy, in my opinion, is more valid.
Text Assignment 1
PETA’s Chronological Timeline
v The Silver Spring Monkeys case of 1981 – It was the first arrest and criminal conviction of an individual who choose to experiment on animals for animal cruelty. This was the first U.S. Supreme court win in the case of animals being inhumanely treated in laboratories. This was just the beginning…
v University of Pennsylvania – PETA conducted an undercover investigation into the abuse of primates at the University of Pennsylvania’s head-injury laboratory. The result was a government fine and their funding was terminated.
v Philadelphia contract testing laboratory – This undercover investigation broke open the abuse of animals through testing concerning companies. It led to Benettons permanent ban on animal tests. Leading industries such as Revlon, Gillete, and Estee Lauder announced a renouncement of the use of animals to test products on. PETA now produces a list of companies that do not test their products on animals.
v Juice – PETA negotiated with multiple juice making companies to stop the funding of animal based experiments.
v General Motors – A case was brought up against general motors for their use of animals in crash tests. PETA was victorious in the suit.
v Carolina Biological Supply Company – Another undercover investigation was conducted which gave many photos and video footage of animals being wrongfully treated as experiments were conducted on them such as embalming, gas chambers, formaldehyde injections, and much more. Carolina Biological Supply Company was charged by the U.S. Department of Agriculture with infringements of the Animal Welfare Act.
v Suarez Bros. Circus – PETA in collaboration with Martin Sheen, Ewan McGregor, U.S., Canadian, and German officials were able to grant the freedom of polar bears that were mistreated by the Suarez Bros. Circus.
v Bobby Berosini – Is an entertainer in Las Vegas who was secretly videotaped beating orangutans with metal rods. The U.S. Department of the Interior revoked his captive bred wildlife permit never allowing him to keep animals again.
v Wright State University – Was charged with 18 infringements against the Animal Welfare Act as a result of painful experiments conducted on rabbits and dogs.
v American College of Surgeons – No longer uses animals for training rather they use simulations and are now encouraging the use of alternative means of training.
v New York Factory Farm – An undercover investigation was conducted resulting in multiple videos and photographs or ducks being force fed viciously. As a result this was the first ever police raid on a U.S. factory farm. Also many restaurants and airlines discontinued the use of duck products.
v Pig Breeding – Undercover investigations proved conclusive evidence against factory farms in Oklahoma and North Carolina in the abuse and maltreatment of pigs. This was the first felony indictment of farm workers.
v The Fur Trade – Furriers were charged with cruelty to animals when video footage caught the abuse of chinchillas as clipping wires were attached to the animals’ genitals and electrocution was used to kill it and minks were forced to die painful deaths by being injected with weed killer. Both methods were denounced by the American Veterinary Medical Association stating that they caused pain and suffering. Neither farm uses these cruel methods anymore.
v Monkeys in Space – PETA was able to pressure the National Air and Space Administration from placing straitjacket monkey implanted with electrodes in space ships and blasting them into space.
v Training School – In Florida an undercover investigation was conducted into the brutality of big cats being beaten with ax handles in an exotic animal training school. The USDA used this evidence to increase regulations concerning how animals are to be trained.
v Boys Town Research Hospital – was caught in an undercover investigation cutting into multiple kittens’ heads and allowing starvation to study deafness. The National Institute of Health reported to soon after condemn their animal care program and the USDA found that they were in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.
v Putting the Cap on Oil – PETA worked with Texaco, Shell, Mobile, and other oil companies to cover the exhaust stacks on their refineries after providing evidence on how millions of bats and birds burn to death after getting trapped within them.
v From Market to Meat – PETA after demonstrating some 400 times were given the backing of fast food restaurants such as McDonalds and Wendy’s and grocery stores such as Albertsons and Safeway to take on firmer guidelines for animals used in slaughter houses.
v PETCO – A drawn out campaign was used to ensure that PETCO would take a plan of action for the animals within its care making the company to agree to no longer sell large birds and fulfill all the necessities for the small rodents within its stores.
v The Future – PETA continues its hard work towards progressively ending animal cruelty.
PETA stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. It is a nonprofit organization derived from Virginia but has colleagues in Germany, the United Kingdom, Asia-Pacific Region, the Netherlands, and India. It was founded in 1980 with the intent to take a stance for animals and their rights. They believe that animals are not ours to eat, experiment, wear, or use for self entertainment, rather they should be treated with kindness and care. Since their founding they have become very well known as the primary organization that has gone above and beyond all else in providing more opportunities for animals.
Four events that I could say have been a significant impact on behalf of PETA would be the Silver Spring Monkey Case as it was the first arrest and criminal conviction for animal abuse, The Philadelphia contract testing laboratory victory over industries testing their products on animals, the New York factory farm leading to the first U.S. police raid on a factory farm, and pig breeding which led to the first felony indictment of farm workers. All were big steps towards positive progress for PETA, showing industries that they were a force to be reckoned with. The mass society theory can be integrated into PETA due to their as semblance of members. Although they have numerous amounts of individuals who follow the ideals of their organization, it is minimal in comparison to the corporate wall that stands before them. In light of this differential they run an effective controlled campaign designed around precisely hitting their intentional goals. They use what they know and utilize the judicial system as well as statutes of the Animal Welfare Act to their advantage. From a resource mobilization and political process theory point of view, they are very efficient.
As previously stated they take what they know and utilize it in their favor. In order for this to truly work they in turn must present conclusive evidence for the courts in order to be granted justice against the alleged perpetrators. In order to do so, PETA conducts undercover investigations where multiple videos and photographs are taken, compiled, and filed to be used are evidence for their claim.
When discussing cultural and emotional approaches I feel that perhaps the cultural aspect plays a minimal role while emotional is the foundation for the organization. It is through the strong wills of belief and understanding through education that fuel the individuals who work eagerly to relieve and expel animal cruelty. Without the element of desire and dedication it would probably just become a lost cause. I personally feel that all the above mentioned are essential and equally important for PETA to obtain their goal for animal welfare and wellbeing.
