PETA Compares ‘Speciesism’ To Racism & Homophobia, Gets Ridiculed

PETA’s Twitter call to end ‘anti-animal’ language drew a combination of ridicule and ire, even from vegans.

The tweet had a list of ‘anti-animal’ phrases and possible correctives. 

(Photo altered by The Quint)

PETA’s Twitter call to stop using “phrases that trivialize cruelty to animals” is receiving serious backlash.

The tweet that was put out on Tuesday, 4 December, by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, says using anti-animal phrases is “speciesism” and should become just as unacceptable as racist, homophobic or albeist language.

“Just as it became unacceptable to use racist, homophobic, or ableist language, phrases that trivialize cruelty to animals will vanish as more people begin to appreciate animals for who they are and start ‘bringing home the bagels’ instead of the bacon,” the tweet said.

The tweet also had a list of “anti-animal” phrases and possible correctives. It asked people to use “Be the test tube” instead of “Be the guinea pig”, “Feed a dead horse” in place of “Beat a dead horse” and so on.

The Twitterati ridiculed the post, and some of them objected to the concept.

Some said the entire post belittled discrimination against the LGBTQ community, people of colour and those with disabilities.

Even animal lovers and vegans seemed to find the post offensive.

Then there were some replies filled with mockery.

Some Twitter users were of the opinion that there are bigger issues that PETA needs to focus on.

PETA responded to the criticism on Wednesday, 5 December, with a tweet that asked the haters to “lighten up.”