Stanek weekend question: Can pro-lifers learn from PETA’s “PR prowess”?
Politico posted an interested article and video on September 16 entitled, “PETA’s PR prowess.”
Whether or not we agree with the ideologies of special interest groups, there is always something helpful to be learned from them. From the piece (warning, the first 2 links are risqué):
In recent years, PETA has become the master of the photo op and press release. It’s hard to ignore Playboy playmates in skimpy lettuce lingerie handing out veggie hot dogs on Capitol Hill. Or PETA volunteers dressed as chickens outside the White House giving away vegan cupcakes. Or a press release urging President Barack Obama to install fly traps in the White House after he swatted – and killed – an insect during a televised interview.
The roster is long and varied. Just this past summer, PETA held more than 240 outreach events.
“I think you want people to look at something and smile, or you want to have them look at something and be really moved,” said PETA co-founder and President Ingrid Newkirk. “I don’t think you need a couple of hundred people on the street or a giant march every day, but you do need to reach people every day. So we’ve come up with gimmicks and strategies, and we don’t mind making fun of ourselves.”
In the story’s related video, the interviewer noted PETA does not shy away from “us[ing] more graphic displays, too.”
Granted, pro-lifers will find no correlative strategy for PETA’s “Lettuce Ladies,” but is there anything for us to learn from PETA’s success in Washington?
[Photo via UPI.com]
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
I would hesitate to suggest the pro-life movement can learn anything from the purveyors of “sea kittens” and “shelters” that kill animals almost as fast as they take them in. It’s not as big a deal for me as abortion (for obvious reasons), but I believe in animal rights. It’s why I’m horrified at the very idea of having a cat declawed and it’s why I refuse to give PETA any credence whatsoever. There are lots of groups that support animal rights. PETA isn’t one of them.
It’s hard to ignore Playboy playmates in skimpy lettuce lingerie handing out veggie hot dogs on Capitol Hill. Or PETA volunteers dressed as chickens outside the White House giving away vegan cupcakes. Or a press release urging President Barack Obama to install fly traps in the White House after he swatted – and killed – an insect during a televised interview.
No, it’s not. At least, no harder than it is to ignore a grown man pushing a bloody babydoll in a stroller.
I don’t know a single person who takes PETA seriously. And I work in the arts, in NYC. Literally thirteen people I see or talk to on a weekly basis volunteer at animal shelters, and they do not support PETA or take them seriously. About 40% of my friends are vegetarians, and many of those are vegans. And none of them take PETA seriously. That’s saying something.
Dude, I am a vegetarian and PETA almost manages to make me embarrassed to be one. They are a joke. Prolife PR is bad enough, with the media against us, without taking on their ridiculous and offensive tactics.
I agree. PETA looks so silly with their tactics, it’s hard to take them seriously, even when you agree with what they say. I do agree with them on some things. But not because they persuaded me. They should use more reasoned argument.
Often it seems like reasoned argument isn’t getting the pro-life movement anywhere. I think it affects more people than we know. Let’s not go in for gimmicks.
How about Fetus Ladies with plastic models of fetal body parts made into dresses?
It seems they have been learning from PETA. What they haven’t learned (and, for that matter, what PETA itself hasn’t learned) is that shock tactics don’t work on an educated, literate population. People feel patronized when your only method of getting their attention is shoving unsolicited and grotesque imagery in their faces.
Thanks for posting this! We were all over this on Common Cents as well…
Steve
Common Cents
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com
Over the years many of my comments against pro-choicers have been very judgemental and not loving. I was especially harsh with Hal.
I want to say that I am sorry for this, as I represent myself to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have also asked the Lord for forgiveness as well.
I am still pro-life but I want all of you to know that Jesus Christ loves you all and wants relationship with you. Please seek Him while you can.
PETA gets attention not respect. PETA is a stunt not a mind changer.
There is nothing to learn from these plant killers! :)
Nice to see you, HisMan. Very kind post… :)
How about the Prevention Paulines — a group of ladies wearing clothes made of objects representing contraceptives?
Or chastity belts?
Always good to see you, HisMan. Hope you are well and your daughter is enjoying married life!
Maybe people don’t like PETA, but everybody knows who they are and what they stand for. If pro-lifers could achieve as much…
I agree with the people who said PETA is a joke. I have vegan friends who are VERY pro-animal rights and PETA is a joke to them as well.
I believe in showing gory imagery to educate people about abortion BUT there is a time and place to do so and should be done with tact and respect NOT holding signs while dressed like the grim reaper. We need to leave the circus acts at home because as PETA shows its not changing anyone’s mind. Thoughtful dialogue and photos showing the truth (at the right times) will change hearts and minds.
As a vegetarian I must say – GO PETA!!! While, yes, the lettuce thing is a bit skeezy, I think pro-liers CAN learn from all of this – PETA is eye catching and unforgettable. They pull on our heartstrings and make us cry – but we don’t forget it. They do crazy things and make us laugh – but we don’t forget it!
I don’t think we need to be learning ANYTHING from PETA.
BTW, just saw a news headline today – PETA is launching a porn site to ”help” their cause. Yeah – really. I’ve always thought PETA was nuts but this is a new low.
I will eat my tie the day I see a “I’d rather go naked than be pro-abortion” magazine ad.
Ever since I saw this one t-shirt, PETA in my mind will always stand for People Eating Tasty Animals. :P
In all seriousness, PETA is certainly a joke. And, especially with all the left leaning media, I think if we followed their example, we’d be even more of a laughing stock than they are. I think we should leave the gimmicks to the fast food restaurants and car dealers and focus on spreading awareness through other methods.
“Let’s not go in for gimmicks” – that’s funny :-)