Did I learn my lesson from the Facebook debate? Well, not until I finished the Twitter one. Then it clicked!!!
I was a long-time PETA member. I first joined as a child. As a kid, I had decided to be a vegetarian for ethical reasons. I later won a PETA2 songwriting contest for my lyrics, and I've done all kinds of animal rights activism through the year and supported PETA in many ways. I've applied to work there. I even received a job offer from them once, and I couldn't take it. I've long defended the animal rights organization. That's before I knew where they stood on people of different body sizes.
Ingrid Newkirk spoke a lot of hateful things on her blog that also was proven to fully distort the studies it cited. She said such mean things as, "People are obese because they shovel in food and haven't a clue (or don't want to have a clue) about a healthy diet." She also says, "The majority of fat people need to have some discipline and remember that being fat means being a bad role model to our children."
My Twitter debate all started innocently enough. I wanted to applaud the Thanksgiving commercial that PETA put out (and was banned by NBC from airing during the Thanksgiving Day Parade). It's this one: http://www.peta.org/FeatureGrace.asp
Well, I posted by first tweet.
Robin: I lost a LOT of respect for @ with their body hate campaigns, but I have to say that the new Thanksgiving commercial rocks.
PETA: Our campaigns r about loving one's body & being proud of it. Being is the best way 2 luv ur body. The grace ad rules tho!
Robin: At least be honest. Your ads were FULL of body hate, stating fat people can't be role models. I do love the Thanksgiving ad.
PETA: We will have 2 agree 2 disagree on that 1! Have a gr8 holiday!
Robin: It's stated on your blog written by your founder Ingrid. I'm not stating an opinion, but a fact. I'd be ashamed of it, too.
Robin: How does one disagree that they said something that's stated on their official blog for all to see? Ask PETA.
Robin: Quoting Ingrid on PETA's official site: "remember that being fat means being a bad role model to our children."
PETA: So r u saving that we should teach children that obesity is not a problem?
Robin: Way to spin what I never said. Caught in a lie, deflect. :-) Role models come in all shapes and sizes.
PETA: No, not a lie. Healthy individuals r the best role models 4 children & so it is our responsibility 2 lead by example.
Robin: Became peta member as kid. Won peta2 song contest. Longtime member. Imagine my shock to know fat vegans are dissed.
PETA: It's not about dissing any1, it's about becoming the healthiest 1 can b. Obesity by def is said 2 have adverse effect on health.
Robin: Healthy people come in all sizes. There are many other animal rights organizations that aren't cruel that I now support.
PETA: Obesity does not = health, therefore healthy ppl do not come in ALL sizes. This is not 2 say the only healthy size is small.
Robin: Way to spin. You state disagreeing with me citing what your ad said. When I pointed out a quote, you spin differently. I see you are just as ignorant of the studies as your founder. There are fat people every bit as healthy as thin.
Robin: Anyway, I do apologize for giving you a second chance from the grace ad. I see your just as prejudiced as ever. Bye Bye, PETA!
**end of tweets**
I would like to further speak about how there are better animal rights organizations that aren't cruel and hating on people who don't meet their size requirements!
I'd love to know which charities and organizations you plan to support at the holidays? On Thanksgiving, I especially want to help one that helps animals.
I love AdoptaTurkey.org by Farm Sancturay.
FriendsofAnimals.org is also wonderful.
Let me know what you think. :)