Post Punk Kitchen Forum

Anyone participating in their local fure free friday events? I plan on attending the march in Portland and am super stoked about it.

I'm glad you finally stopped wearing those furs, tommy.

Not a fan of anti-fur campaigns. I think it sends a mixed message about animals used for clothing. But that's still awesome that you're getting active!

Getting active? Tommy's been active since before you were born.

I will be wearing my Herbivore Fur is forked shirt to work! Take that, dress code.

I'll be wearing my leather "fur is gay" jacket.

Is it the whole naked lady PETA thing that bothers you, or is there more to it than that? Just curious.

That's part of it. I also just don't like saying "No fur!" when we could be saying "No clothing made from animals!"

Now that I know, I will not be wearing fur on friday (gosh darnit).

I get that, but we don't have a reasonable chance at this point of getting people to stop buying leather the same way we do with fur.

Also, even if we were saying "Don't wear animals!" we could be saying "Don't wear, eat or otherwise purchase animal or animal derived or tested products!" And being vegan isn't the end all of good ethics in any case. It's just one step in leading a less harmful lifestyle. Like not buying fur.

Between this and Meatless Mondays this country is being overrun by fascist communists! What's next, Dogfight Free Tuesday?! Don't Kick Your Cat Wednesday?!

I'll be out of town. But also not wearing fur. Win!

crepe... It is Wednesday and I just kicked my cat. I guess I will try again next week.

Yeah that is why I think it's smart to have things that focus on baby steps. I think vegan outreach is important (obvs) but it's all part of anti-oppression work. So we could have a fur protest or we could have a fur/leather protest or we could have a fur/leather/meat/dairy protest or we could have a fur/leather/meat/dairy/sweatshop-labor protest or we could have a fur/leather/meat/dairy/sweatshop-labor/car protest. I think an anti-fur protest that includes vegan signs where people can also be educated about leather and wool and feathers, would be the best approach. I really disliked the fur protests of the 90s that were hosted by Peta and focused on things like "FUR MAKES YOU LOOK FAT." Now that they are mostly grassroots organized affairs they are very cool. Especially in places like Portland where they actually got a fur-shop to close down. That sends a big message.

I am perpetually covered in cat fur, I don't think I can join you.

I like the idea of the Humane Society's campaign for people to donate their old furs to be made into "mommies" for orphaned animals and to keep injured animals warm. Let's all go raid Kanye West's closet on Friday instead of not wearing fur, which I'm pretty sure we're all going to not be wearing anyway.

There is a point where the Single Issue Campaign (SIC) critique completely misses the point, at least in my opinion.

Even if you feel that fur demonstrations don't bring the entire message, as recommended, show up with a sign about veganism, bring leaflets about veganism and talk with others about why you don't wear fur and why you are vegan as well. Your presence in your community is more important.

The idea that protesting fur somehow means you are for or promoting another form of cruelty, i.e. leather, is something completely tied to an understanding of the animal rights movement and holds no weight when compared to what are commonly considered as human issues. If I join an anti-war demonstration against the war in Iraq would anyone take away that that means I think the war in Iraq is more wrong than say the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (just an example), or that I am not against ALL wars. Of course not. Use a labour example and you get the exact same picture.

The notion that vegans should stay home instead of engaging with these protests is largely a shot at large corporate animal rights organizations, however, it doesn't have much relevance when it comes to the grassroots and to your community. Show up, be rad, share ideas and be open to different perspectives and messages.

"Isolation is the biggest barrier to change."

I didn't know about this! What an awesome idea.

Do bunny slippers count?

(I don't actually have any bunny slippers but I would like some - or hello kitty ones)

I thought it was great too! I always see people selling old fur coats at the flea market, I am contemplating buying them to donate. At least then they will have a purpose that matters, y'know?

I was going to participate in fur free friday this year since I won't be volunteering at the festival I usually do every year... but couldn't find any events close enough, didn't get my shiitake together to organize one, so now I'm just going up to Farm Sanctuary for the weekend instead. Maybe I'll bust out the window chalk and write "fur is forked" on my car window or something (or not).

I am! Participating in a protest at Neiman Marcus at Copley Plaza in Boston