I’ve become the PETA girl

By Published On: 19 May 2010Last Updated: 17 January 2017

The images and stories of animal abuse. . .are proof that the world needs to change in a major way. If I don't share them with my community, who will?

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I’ve become the PETA girl

By Lindsay Wolf, Guest Contributor

It’s amazing how life turns out.

I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be the kind of person to share horrific images of animal abuse to friends and my community. Way back before I even considered vegetarianism, when I would see those images myself, I would close the computer screen, put the newspaper down, or turn the television off, hoping and pretending that those horrors don’t really exist in the world. I used to even make fun of animal advocacy organizations like PETA in my head, because it was ridiculous to me (back then) that a group of people could use such extreme methods to protest the abuse of animals. I’ll never be like that, I used to think, maybe as a way of comfortably keeping myself from really accepting the deep, dark truth – that these horrors do exist, and that we need people to work to stop them.

Three years ago, I came face to face with images from a movie that I could no longer turn away from – the kill floor of a slaughterhouse. I watched on, overcome with tears, as cows acted terrified and helpless as they were carelessly handled and led to their murderous deaths, all for a hamburger or steak that would satisfy a few people. It was like a horror movie, except with cows! A light went on inside me, and on that day, I decided – I no longer want to be a part of this.

But how did I go from no longer wanting to eat meat to being the kind of person who shares animal abuse videos in my community? Well, the more I learned about the use of animals for food, clothing, entertainment, and experimentation, the harder it became to want to continuing existing in this kind of world. I know that sounds rough, and it was a hard notion for me to even accept, because I had never been a person who wanted to stop living life – I’ve always prided myself in being a bit of an optimist. But something changed when I began to learn about the horrors that exist – for both the animals helpless to stop whatever is happening to them, as well as the people who have to or choose to, for whatever reason, carry out these abuses. We have taken some of the most innocent, kind, and gentle creatures of this world and exploited them. Who would want to continue living in a world openly knowing that this is what people do on a daily basis? And that by purchasing the products of these abuses, I was supporting the abuse in the first place? To me, it was almost like hiring a hit man – I was reaping the “rewards” of consuming and purchasing animal products without having to be the one to commit these atrocities firsthand.

So, once I went vegan, I made a decision – I would fight for these animals, even if it was something people wouldn’t find socially acceptable. Even if it made people uncomfortable. Even if it meant I would lose a few supporters – which I actually have. The fact of the matter is, I don’t take these “losses” personally – I can’t, because it isn’t about me anymore. It is about these animals. Animals that need our help now more than ever. Animals who will continue to be abused if we don’t work to stop it.

Yesterday morning, I shared a very upsetting image and link to a petition on my facebook wall concerning an animal cruelty issue (that I had previously seen on a friend’s wall). In posting this image and link, I ended up receiving a very negative reaction from someone I know. And as difficult as it was to receive that kind of response, I’ve begun to realize that it may not be the last time this happens. The images and stories of animal abuse that are being documented (usually undercover) – while uncomfortable and downright infuriating to see and read and hear about – are proof that the world needs to change in a major way. If I don’t share them with my community, who will?

So I occasionally make what a lot of people may view as the unpopular choice – I choose to share these stories on online social communities like Facebook, through emails to my friends and family, and in conversation. I’m not planning on ever becoming abusively extremist myself – there will be no fake blood thrown on fur coats by the hand of this lady! But I have and will continue to share this vital information with my peers and family – because the animals need us to. More than we may ever know.

And just to clarify – I absolutely love and fully respect PETA and the work they do. You know, when a lot of people think of PETA, I know they have the image of what I just wrote above – fake blood on fur coats – but it was actually individuals, and not the organization itself, behind these stunts. The assumptions and judgments I originally made about PETA all fell away once I learned about how hard they really do work to expose animal cruelty and protect these animals.  Yes, PETA chooses to display animal cruelty in a way that is shocking, unusual, and hard to accept for many. But in working this way, PETA has uncovered – and even stopped – countless cases of animal cruelty on an international level. If you need proof, just read their “Victories” page.

So, when I say that I’ve become “the PETA girl”, I mean that with all the kindness and respect in the world for myself and for Ingrid Newkirk‘s extraordinary organization. I am learning to accept – and even love – that over the years, I have become what my friend Molly likes to call an “animal abolitionist”. I am humbled by this choice, because it comes with a price – that people may not always like or approve of what I do. Which is okay with me. Because the gains outweigh the losses. I have gained a new community of like-minded people who also believe in a better world for animals. My relationship with my husband has been strengthened by our joined resolve to stop animal cruelty. I wake up knowing that I am working to contribute to the solution, rather than the problem. And I can look into the eyes of an animal and feel no guilt, no compromise, no hypocrisy. I can look at them with total peace now.

I decided to share this post with you all because I know how difficult the transition can be to go from making the popular choice of eating animal products to choosing veganism. From your emails and comments, I can see that your family and friends sometimes find what you do – honoring a vegan lifestyle – an uncomfortable choice to accept. But I say all of this because it is my hope that you will keep going – keep working to promote peace for animals and our world and keep sharing the positive benefits of your new diet and lifestyle. Because we – the animals, the animal advocates, and the world –  need people who will stick their neck out for this cause. We need you.

7 Comments

  1. seymour January 5, 2011 at 3:38 pm - Reply

    PETA is a welfarist organisation. It works against veganism (=abolition of animal exploitation), not in favour of it. The only thing welfarist organisations manage to do is increase animal exploitation by making people more comfortable about exploiting animals–they promote “happy” meat, compassionate slaughter, free-range eggs, etc. Give a blanket to your slaves; they remain slaves.

    Can you imagine how much the vegan movement would be greater if welfarist organisations stopped wasting their time and money on urging isolated companies to insignificantly modify the way they treat their chattel property, to promote veganism instead? Surely, significant changes would occur overnight and a bigger portion of the population would actually stop using and abusing animals from other species.

    http://unpopularveganessays.blogspot.com/2009/12/peta-corporate-tangle-of-contradictions.html
    http://unpopularveganessays.blogspot.com/search/label/cruelty%20videos
    http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/a-victory-for-whom/
    http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/euphoria-for-whom/
    http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/partners-in-exploitation/
    http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/eight-animals/

  2. carlagolden May 21, 2010 at 11:58 am - Reply

    Thanks for this! I have felt much the same and why I retired my blog. I live my belief, I walk my talk, yet I got tired of defending my choice. Through my blog I shared my two year health journey which resulted in veganism. While reading my blog was voluntary, several readers took great issue with my “moral rightousness” or their accusations of my imperfect veganism. I still share vegan links on my personal Facebook page which seem easier to ignore. It’s a wild and crazy ride, for sure! Most people just can’t “go there” or have convictions that we are entitled to eat animals.

    Carla, vegan 1 year thus far

  3. Obesity May 20, 2010 at 11:52 pm - Reply

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  4. Alice2112 May 20, 2010 at 6:01 pm - Reply

    Sing it sista! Here is a great video to share with those who don’t understand our support for PETA.

    The Eight Secrets of How PETA Works
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNUPJVCL8_I

    They are one of the most efficiently run, results producing non-profits with low admin expenses. They play the media like a fiddle and their efforts work, allowing free or low cost exposure to horrifying animal exploitation. Actually, most of their successes don’t get media coverage b/c they aren’t “sexy”. Most people unfortunately only know them for their media. They are amazing champions for the animals. GO PETA!

  5. jeri@godsdreamsforme May 19, 2010 at 11:28 pm - Reply

    You go girl! Thanks for teaching me to stick my neck out. Here’s to dusting ourselves off daily, big smiles, and doing what’s right because it’s right and not for any other reason.

    God Bless and you know I love you girl.

  6. Topsy.com May 19, 2010 at 8:38 pm - Reply

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Your Daily Vegan, Jeri Taira . Jeri Taira said: @YourDailyVegan: Featured guest #vegan today Lindsay from Kiss Me I'm Vegan! Check out why she's become "The PETA girl" http://ow.ly/1NoCb […]

  7. Huges Mews May 19, 2010 at 12:27 pm - Reply

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HELLO! I'm KD Angle-Traegner.

Writer, activist, and founder of Four Urban Paws Sanctuary. I’m on a mission to help people live a vegan life. Read more about KD…

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