(The Root) — PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — is known for its radical methods, including decorating donated furs with fake blood. On Tuesday reports surfaced that the group was claiming that eating chicken could cause underdeveloped genitals in baby boys. No, seriously.
PETA wrote an open letter to the founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival that "consuming poultry while pregnant may lead to birth defects in utero, including smaller-than-average penises for newborn boys." Black folks on Twitter reacted strongly to this latest effort from the organization, which doesn't have the best track record with African Americans, what with its history of trivializing racism to further its agenda. Take, for example, the time that PETA members dressed up as KKK members to make some sort of a point, and the time they equated the slaughter of cows to the lynching of blacks.
RT @Hall182: @peta: People Eating Tasty Animals.
— Durag Jesus (@JosephMeegar) September 3, 2013
PETA is full of racists and smug ass, privileged, white people. They are so out of touch
— whiskey doll (@AlphaGemini_) September 3, 2013
Editor's note: The original version of this blog post incorrectly stated that PETA has thrown "buckets of blood or red paint on people wearing fur." PETA has never engaged in such conduct. The Root regrets the error.
Tracy Clayton is a writer, humorist and blogger from Louisville, Ky.