People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals has a huge mouth. Love them or hate them they have a voice and millions of supporters. Despite recent claims of contradictory behavior they have acted as advocates for animals in all aspects- including fashion.
They have taken to flour bombing public figures for their attire choices as a form of protest. Throwing flour in some ones face is spectacle enough to bring attention to their cause and not as permanent as days gone by. In 1982 I was part of a very militant group who took it upon themselves to spray paint or otherwise stain fur coats we encountered in our day. Yes, I took part in this vigilante behavior and no I don't really regret it. The 'its already dead' mentality is more 'let them eat cake' than valid. Yes its dead but it was killed for that coat.
PETA has just released a statement calling Rihanna and Lady Gaga 'freaks' for their fashion choices. I do believe they're freaks for a multitude of reasons but fashion can be one. "Rihanna may not have a clue that snakes killed for boots are often nailed to a tree and skinned alive. Of course, they can't go on Oprah to cry about it," they said.
"Wearing reptile skin is creepy and callous, and it makes her look even more out of touch… She and Lady Gaga seem so desperate to be freaks instead of recognized for their talents that you have to wonder if they realize that they are being laughed at."
I agree they both rely a bit heavy on their image but I also think they both have strong talent, its just a shame they opt for negative attention when they are so much above that.
We as a society should be aware of our consumption, we need to know where things come from. Those shoes you are wearing are a cow that was killed with a nail gun to the head. or electric shock. It doesn't really matter because you were not raised to care about that. Cows are food and clothing, not creatures of the world who deserve life. That's just a symptom of an unenlightened society. We can kill fellow humans so what value do those who cannot speak have? There is a great quote that states loosely that you can judge a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him. Well a cow can feed and cloth you, yet most still have no problem with their treatment. After all they didn't kill it it was already dead.
To separate domestic animals (we can leave out service dogs cuz you'll use them as example of purpose) from farm animals is ridiculous. I want to wear a belt made from your cats skin, I want a jacket made from the pelt of your poodle and I want to dine on your bet parakeet with a side dish of your hamster. Seems absurd doesn't it? Yeah, well what makes them any different than Uggs of sheep hide, Boots of bovine, plates of pig and side dishes of chicken?
Your ignorance and willingness to let it be bliss.
Freaks indeed.