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.