Some years back I attended a PETA forum here in Atlanta, whereupon I actually got the chance to speak with Ingrid Newkirk (founder of PETA). We had a conversation that was engaging and pleasant enough, and in the course of our chat as a result of a casual survey of those attended, I ask Ingrid why in a city like Atlanta with a 50% Black population, did she think the African-American turnout was so low; as in an audience of about 150, myself included there were only 4 or 5 Blacks. Ingrid acknowledged that it was not the first time that she had been asked that same question, saying that she had even consulted with Russel Simmons on the subject. Then, once she learned that I had been employing a plant centered diet and lifestyle for the entirety of my adult life, she gave me a pitch; attempting to recruit me as one of their spokespersons. She also noticed that I was wearing leather shoes and made a less than friendly comment about it. When I informed here that the shoes were a result of the realities of my own economic/living circumstances, she was not particularly understanding.

In spite of this, my little faux pas with Ingrid, she did have one of her aides email me, expressing further interest in my working with PETA.

That never transpired. I lost interest.

And the main reason why, is that like Whole Foods, the “organic” and slow food movements, PETA and others, almost all of these organizations’ media campaings, literature, presentations, attitudes and language is geared toward middle-class to affluent Whites. Sure there’s a few token negros up in the mix here and there, but none of these organizations have demonstrated an authentic interest or whole-hearted outreach and appreciation for the unique set of variables that Blacks, the poor and other non-Pacific Northwest, uber-Whites live with each and every day.

Save for brother Van Jones, Naomi Klein, Chris Hedges and a handfull of others, the same can be said of “greeness”.

By and large all this liberal talk about making the world a better place grossly misses the mark. The Michael Vick incident clearly demonstrated that.

Sure, absolutely, Michael was guilty of animal cruelty. He said so himself. And sure, he deserved to be convicted for his crimes. HOWEVER, the media onslaught and complete demoralization of the promising, young BLACK man did not have to occur in order for justice to be served.

Michal Vick was lynched without a rope, but the net effect was all the same; humiliating he and those he stood up for–inspired all the years prior to his unceremonious white-mob beating.

Hell yes, I stand by my words. And on the issue of liberal white supremacy, PETA and all the other aforementioned are guilty as charged…elitist–racist!

I have no sympathies for PETA and whatever woes they incur; as it is all self-inflicted. But I am concerned about the majority of Blacks and poor in this nation who, each day–moment to moment, struggle to find food to eat and a warm, safe place to sleep. Those are the people that deserve the outreach. They (we) have needs too and are sick and tired of being sick and tired of being addressed by these so called “progressive” forward-thinking institutions and organizations that treat us like leprous children who must always be kept in check!

F*ck that noise!

PETA can go up in flames for all I care.

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Max Eternity, contributing writer to Artworks Magazine and editor of Art Digital Magazine, is a multi-disciplined artist who creates innovative print types reflecting the Bauhaus school and Early American modernism. Via a network of informational web portals, he advocates artistic and social concerns ranging from architectural preservation and digital literacy to government transparency, health and nutrition. An avid inventor, Max currently has over a dozen utilities and intellectual processes in various stages of development.

To answer your question, yes there were people who’d do vegetarianism for reasons of social gain, so I don’t know whether it was PETA’s advertising but I really wouldn’t be surprised if it was.

Thank you for posting your opinions on PETA, being extreme with naked protest and employing useless celebrities isn’t caring for animals, cleaning up poo-ey cages and washing up 40 lb felines that want to claw your eyes out are showing you care for them.