CNN Host Don Lemon is not here for PETA’s new anti-animal initiative. This week the animal rights organization compared using phrases like “skin a cat” and “beat a dead horse” to homophobia and racism. It’s all in an effort to combat “specieism.” The tweet announcing the new campaign said, “Just as it became unacceptable to use racist, homophobic, or ableist language, phrases that trivialize cruelty to animals will vanish as more people begin to appreciate animals for who they are and start ‘bringing home the bagels’ instead of the bacon.” On Wednesday night when asked about it by Chris Cuomo on Cuomo Prime Time, Lemon said that PETA could “have a seat.”“They should actually be concerned about homophobia and racism,” Lemon said. Adding that a number of offensible acts happen to human beings but the outcry over those is minimal in comparison.
Words matter, and as our understanding of social justice evolves, our language evolves along with it. Here’s how to remove speciesism from your daily conversations. pic.twitter.com/o67EbBA7H4
Both hosts agreed that while the organization is impactful, their new campaign is a bit of a reach. “PETA does some great work. I’m sure, but, come on,” Lemon quipped. Since announcing their anti-speciesist initiative, the nonprofit based in Norfolk, VA., has received much criticism. As a response the group tweeted, “To the haters: with so much negativity in the world, why not lighten up and use language in a way that encourages being kind to animals?”
It’s still too be determined if people will start saying “feed two birds with one scone” in place of “kill two birds with one stone.” But what we do know, is there’s a good chance Don Lemon won’t be one of them.
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