PETA AU Global 2021 Issue 4

Peel a Potato There’sMore ThanOneWay to Skin a Cat Research Shows That Switching to Positive References Gives Animals a Boost P ETA will still let sleeping dogs lie, not hurt a fly, and watch animal abusers like hawks, but when Twitter expanded its rules to include

Send smiles across the miles Forget sugar plums: What kids from 1 to 92 really want is chocolate! DECK THE HALLS WITH BOUGHS OF JOLLY Holiday shopping is in the bag at PETA.org/Store. with PETA’s exclusive holiday cards designed by New Yorker

Cartoon: © 2021 Dave Blazek

Holiday card artwork: © Harry Bliss • Cat book: © iStock.com/CHIARI_VFX • Model: © iStock.com/shapecharge • Background: © iStock.com/RomoloTavani • Baubles: © iStock.com/masterzphotois • Stars: © iStock.com/hudiemm

a ban on hate speech based on race, ethnicity, or national origin, PETA took the flower by the thorns and asked the platform’s CEO to ban hate speech based on species as well. It’s no trivial matter, because words matter , PETA argued, writing, “As our recognition and understanding of social justice evolves, our language must evolve with it.” Common phrases from a long time ago reflect that animals are held in involuntary servitude, under the yoke, inside the steel lab cage, and even as “pets” who must behave themselves according to human whims and convenience. No wonder then that human language devalues and denigrates the independent worth and awe-inspiring qualities of other animals, labeling them inferior. Saying that a human attacker “acted like an animal” – even when dogs risk their very lives to send attackers packing! – furthers the idea that animals are lesser beings. In Psychology Today , Dr. Shareena Hamzah-Osbourne, a researcher at Swansea University in the UK, writes, “Often the language used in our everyday life leans towards the vilification of animals; for example, in the world of finance, Goldman Sachs was famously described as a ‘great vampire squid’ while other businesses with aggressive practices may be deemed ‘corporate sharks.’” In reality, vampire squid are gentle beings who put on bioluminescent lightshows to evade predators, and sharks socialize and form friendships – but you wouldn’t have an inkling of who these animals are based on the way we commonly talk about them. Other common usages trivialize animals’ suffering as well, such as when hunters call the animals they stalk and kill “game.” Casually using expressions like “crazy as a loon,” “cash cow,” “chicken out,” “catty,” “pick of the litter,” “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” and so on creates a false divide between humans and other animals that helps fuel speciesism, intentionally or not. So let’s keep the positive phrases, such as “strong as an ox” and “wise as an owl,” but dispense with the disparaging ones.

PETA’s “Respect” hoodie spreads peace and goodwill year-round.

cartoonist Harry Bliss.

If you can’t hug friends and family in person, sending them a vegan hot cocoa kit is the next best thing.

Ring in the new year with some bling – PETA’s whimsical leaping bunny necklace.

The 12 rescued animals featured in PETA’s 2022 calendar help you greet every month with a smile.

Your cat wants you to buy this

book for all the cat caregivers on your list. (Turn the page for a sneak peak.)

Let your tote do the talking – available at PETA.org/Store . I

The language that we use has the power to create a more inclusive world – or exclude those we deem to be “other.” Let’s liberate our language and encourage others to do the same. After all, wouldn’t you rather be as happy as a lark than as mad as a hornet?

No kitten ! This cozy beanie is cuteness with a cause.

Take Action Now Make a change with an “it” jar: Every time you call an animal “it” or use other

Whether your kitty has been

PETA Kids’ “Go Trash-Fish!” cards (complete with fun facts about sea life) give the popular kids’ game an eco- and fish friendly makeover.

naughty or nice, a coal-shaped catnip toy is the purr fect stocking stuffer.

speciesist language, pay a fine and donate it to an animal cause. View PETA’s animal-friendly idioms at PETA.org.au/Idioms , and tweet your suggestions to @peta .

INSTEAD OF

SAY

Put your best foot forward in PETA socks.

The way to someone’s heart is through their stomach ... and PETA’s “The Future Is Vegan” gift bag.

“Act like an animal” “Be a guinea pig” “Dirty rat” “Hog”

“Act like an ogre” “Be a test tube”

Wear this tee to “raise” awareness of animal rights.

“Dirty rascal” “Monopolize”

“On a wild goose chase” “Packed in like sardines” “Put all your eggs in one basket”

“Out chasing rainbows” “Packed in like pickles” “Put all your berries in one bowl”

PETA’s ThanksVegan tabletop partition

emblazoned with snappy comebacks to common carnivore questions allows you to combine social distancing with social justice.

Global

16

FREE SPEECH

17