PETA dons KKK robes at the Show
Posted: Friday, February 27, 2009
by Walter Rhett
Charleston Perlo
These are strange new times when PETA dresses up like the Ku Klux Klan (complete with pointed hoods) to protest the purebreed AKC-certified lines of dogs entered in the famous Westminister Dog Show in New York City. The impact of the protest seem limited. People were stopping to snap pictures of fake Klansmen on their cell phones.
Comments that followed the news stories of the protest generally bewailed the sufferings, physical deficits, and health difficulties that have crept into the dog industry breeding and show programs. Due in part to "puppy mills" and judging quirks, the genetic health of dogs is at risk. Vocerifous in-breeding is weakening the skeletal frames of some popular breeds, leading to declining health and shorter life. For example, some breeds are being selected for slanted spines or have rear quarters that barely support their weight.
No letters or comments about the Klan robes, through; which seemed upon further review to be a metaphor gone too far. I wouldn't have put a protest in a Klan robe in New York-or anywhere; it seemed too confusing and made the real message of the dangers of inbreeding obscure. Klan robes, even for a good cause, are certainly offensive. Klan robes trigger different signals which don't arouse sympathy for th dogs plight. PETA's actual use of white robes and pointed hooded masks sends all the emotional drama of a longstanding historic message that points to lynchings and assaults on humans, especially by race. This horrendous history of violence and lynching blocks the robes' attempt to be a rather subtle cross-species link to the self-absorbed, naraccistic folly of creating pure bred dogs through inbreeding. The Klan comparison is off-target and uses a symbol of suffering that creates recoil rather than persausion and clarity.
PETA expalined it was after the symbolic link of purity the Klan and show breeder's pursue, but "purity" is a misreading of the Klan's actions and intent. The Klan never "weakened" whites in the course of attempts to "strengthen" whites by pure breeding. The Klan's activities were more about power, priviledge, illegal violence, and an ideology of racial superiority. I hate to say it, but the analogy that PETA professes by using the Klan shockingly ignores the legacy of the robes symbolism. The use of hate symbols, especially Ku Klux Klan robes, has no place in any message that strives for the moral high ground. The robes are bitter visual reminders of blood sacrifices and can not be rehabilitated. If PETA wants the Westminister show off the air, it should first take off its robes.
The dogs deserve better.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Great article, Walter. I didn't see the connection---Klan robes and animals rights?? Oh, well, I guess I'm just dense. It takes a really brilliant mind to come up with some of the stuff we're seeing lately!Thanks for a candle in this world of darkness.Sandra
I am really glad I came across your article. I can't believe some of the offensive things (in my opinion) they are doing in the name of advertising.Thank you for sharing, Linda D
Hi Walter, excellent reporting here. I have to say that was a pretty stupid and thoughtless thing to do on their part. Of course, this is just my opinion. Shame on them, good for you. Blessings to you, Teresa
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