Cultural Analysis of PETA Commercial Essay

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® Made by Human No AI

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, is a global group that has successfully captivated the public’s attention with its provocative and extremely divisive imagery. An obese lady wearing a bikini was shown on the billboard (Peirano). Save the Whales. Lose the Blubber: Go Vegetarian was written in huge lettering on the billboard (Peirano). The billboard, with its blatant jab at individuals who are overweight, was the subject of much debate since it contains a rather questionable message portrayed disturbingly.

This billboard’s message implies that adopting a vegetarian diet will help them lose weight and save animals’ lives. Without really mentioning anything, PETA claims that individuals would lose weight if they become vegetarians. Additionally, PETA is aiming its criticism at a segment of the population already highly vulnerable and under constant scrutiny in the United States. It is also questionable that they picked an obese white woman instead of a male or a person of color.

Although there is a subliminal message that calls obese people “whales” and refers to their fat as “blubber”, this billboard may potentially convey a positive message overall, but how it is now presented is embarrassing and degrading to overweight people. This billboard exhibits neither class nor consideration for folks who are obese. Without a doubt, it specifically targets obese people, and the consequences might be profound. Obesity has various causes, the majority of which are unrelated to meat consumption. The billboard implies that problems may be fixed by just ceasing to consume animals. However, many people have physical ailments that prevent them from losing weight as easily as others can, as well as psychological difficulties and eating disorders.

Overall, comparing a human to a whale is highly insulting, and it is much worse for those in the same situation as the woman in the ad. Although this billboard was likely meant to be comical, the way it was put together promotes the idea that being overweight is undesirable and does so by using a dehumanizing picture. In place of mocking the obese, PETA could have discussed the health advantages of a vegetarian diet. This specific method of doing so is not acceptable or encouraging.

Work Cited

Peirano, Julie. (2018). “PETA’s Most Shocking Campaigns of All Time (Including 1 Donald Trump Inspired).” Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Web.

More related papers Related Essay Examples
Cite This paper
You're welcome to use this sample in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2024, February 1). Cultural Analysis of PETA Commercial. https://ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-analysis-of-peta-commercial/

Work Cited

"Cultural Analysis of PETA Commercial." IvyPanda, 1 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-analysis-of-peta-commercial/.

References

IvyPanda. (2024) 'Cultural Analysis of PETA Commercial'. 1 February.

References

IvyPanda. 2024. "Cultural Analysis of PETA Commercial." February 1, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-analysis-of-peta-commercial/.

1. IvyPanda. "Cultural Analysis of PETA Commercial." February 1, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-analysis-of-peta-commercial/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "Cultural Analysis of PETA Commercial." February 1, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-analysis-of-peta-commercial/.

If, for any reason, you believe that this content should not be published on our website, please request its removal.
Updated:
This academic paper example has been carefully picked, checked and refined by our editorial team.
No AI was involved: only quilified experts contributed.
You are free to use it for the following purposes:
  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment
Privacy Settings

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

  • Basic site functions
  • Ensuring secure, safe transactions
  • Secure account login
  • Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
  • Remembering privacy and security settings
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage
  • Personalized search, content, and recommendations
  • Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Required Cookies & Technologies
Always active

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Site Customization

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

  • Remembering general and regional preferences
  • Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy.

Personalized Advertising

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

1 / 1