THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 30, 1996 TAG: 9604300011
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
I am writing in response to the multitude of negative letters and slanted letters and slanted articles displayed in your paper concerning the group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), and their move to Hampton Roads. The vindictiveness, misunderstanding and fear displayed in these writings are totally unbelievable.
PETA's main goal is to educate the public on issues involving the ongoing abuse of animals throughout the world. PETA wants to increase the public's understanding that animals are entitled to to be treated with respect and dignity and should not be used for man's enjoyment and disposal.
This is not an idea supported only by ``kooks'' and ``wackos'' but has been stated by such great visionaries as Leonardo Da Vinci, Leo Tolstoy, George Bernard Shaw, Gandhi and Thoams Edison. Edison stated that ``Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.''
Unfortunately, this country has a long history of treating both animals and specific groups of people as being unworthy and devoid of feelings. Treating Native Americans as ``savages'', making African Americans slaves and property of the ruling class, putting disabled individuals in institutions and stripping them of their dignity, and even denying women the equal rights of men are all shameful reminders of the history of this country. Please understand that I am not comparing humans to animals, but am merely stating that we have a history of violence and exploitation to groups of people as well as animals.
PETA and it's 500,000 members merely believe that animals are capable of experiencing pain, love, joy, and sadness. We bleive that animals have an inherent value in and of themselves and should not be used at the whim of human beings.
Anyone who owns a pet would agree that their companion animal has the capacity to love, display intelligence, and suffer pain. Why is it so hard to realize that cows, pigs, sheep, mink, rabbits, and yes, even fish are capable of feeling pain and fear. The gernal public would balk at having ``Doberman steak'' for dinner or wearing a ``cat fur'' coat, yet many people think nothing of eating a hamburger or wearing a mink wrap.
I am one person who welcomes PETA's move here with open arms and great expectation. I believe that one day animals will be given the rights they deserve and groups like PETA will be looked upon as visionaries and civil rights activists. Da Vinci stated that ''. . . the time will come when men will look upon the murder of animals as they look upon the murder of men.'' If my beliefs are ``crazy'' and ``wacky'', at least I'm in good company.
WENDI R. SCHWARTZ
Norfolk, April 22, 1996 by CNB