WE ARE ALL MEAT!

I came across this controversial advertisement or protest of sorts that PETA ad on a busy block in Manhattan to promote vegetarianism, but did it work? I don't know...

The nearly nude PETA activists laid inside large foam trays wrapped with cellophane and cover in fake blood.  The "stunt" of sorts was a visual representation that we as humans are living breathing beings, such as the animals that humans eat everyday. Would we ever think about eating another human? Heavens no, or if so, you should be committed. But this was the the intent of this protest: to see animals as living creatures not a steak or chop.

I am vegetarian myself and the image of this was a little disheartening for me to look at, but if I weren't vegetarian, I truthfully don't know if this act would have persuaded me to re-think my eating habits. Many people were disgusted, as would I be too, because I am unable to handle the site of blood at all, but did their disgust eternalize into questioning their eating behaviors, or anger? For many, it was anger.

I am not anti PETA, but I am also not a PETA activist. When it comes to my eating choices, I feel they are my own personal opinion and if people ask me why I am vegetarian, I will share it with them, but I am not one to shoved my opinion down someone else's throat. I feel it is each person's personal choice to be whatever type of eater they want to be. It is none of my business.  That being said, I feel that PETA is a little over the top when it comes to their publicity and advertisement charades. For example, they have this entire advertisement line of "I'd rather be naked than wear fur." It is really provocative pictures of celebrity women naked. The irony between these two advertisements that stemmed from the same company is that in the "Meat is Murder" protest, they are saying animals, along with humans, are not pieces of meat, but yet in their "I'd Rather be Naked" campaign, they are subjectifying these women's bodies like they are pieces of meat, figuratively speaking. And truthfully, the nearly nude women in the cellophane-wrapped trays are still showing off their bodies for onlookers to ogle at.

Was that PETA's intent? They say no, but as photo shoot after photo shoot, & advertisement after advertisement show, there is a very strong sexual undertone in almost all of PETA's ads. I guess it goes back to the expression, "The meanings in the viewer." You be the judge!