A friend clued me in to PeTA’s newest gimmick: underwriting Indiana trash pick-up in exchange for wrap ads that read, “Meat Trashes the Planet: Go Green – Go Vegetarian,” and feature what appears to be PeTA’s conception of a male resident of our state. While I agree with the premise, that factory farming is greatly damaging to ecosystems wherever it exists, I continue to be disappointed by PeTA’s ‘broad brush’ approach. The organization’s message would meet enough resistance without adding a layer of condescension with the Talladega Nights extra in the ad.
Update: Matthew Tully pointed out that the letter was directed to a state office with absolutely no oversight of trash pick up, it’s a county/city/town issue. El oh el.
Fist bump to Planetsave.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:48 am
Well, I would agree it was an unfair stereotype if over 10 guys in pickup trucks that looked just like that didn’t try to run me over on my commute this morning on 465.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:56 am
Hey, that guy kind of looks like me… and I’m vegan! As much as I hate vegans/vegetarians, etc who proselytize, the scientific data is pretty clear that factory farming is a major cause of global warming, water and soil pollution and many other environmental and health woes. Any message that can encourage people to do research into the negative environmental effects of factory farming is okay by me, and as a moustached Hoosier who occasionally wears plaid shirts I find this depiction of a “typical Indiana male” humurous rather than offensive. Obviously the person who designed this image has been to the Indiana State Fair.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I think it would be different if they were in on the joke.
February 4th, 2009 at 6:52 am
I sent your blog to my friend who works in animal rights asking what she thought, and we’ve been having a long e-mail discussion over whether the image of the redneck is appropriate. I say it’s stereotypical and will alienate people who see it, she says the guy looks ‘friendly’ and like everyone she grew up with in the U.S. and that it’s clearly meant to be humorous. She also says I’m wrong because more media would be writing about it if it WAS offensive. Hmmmm.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:39 am
He looks like My Name is Earl… now if they could’ve gotten Jason Lee for the ad, I think they would’ve been in on the joke.
February 5th, 2009 at 3:17 am
yo, you’re just pissed cause the dude looks like you.