Latinos... “Low Hanging Fruit” For Animal Rights Activists?
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When you look at efforts from just about every industry in the United States trying to tap into the emerging Latino market, one has to wonder when Animal Rights Activists will follow suit.
Companies are investing millions of dollars trying to reach this segment of the population. With some estimates putting Latino purchasing power at more than a trillion dollars, it just makes sense that companies would invest money and resources in this growing demographic.
Latinos are the largest and youngest minority group in the United States. According to data from the Pew Hispanic Center, by 2020, about 25% of all US children will be Latino. By 2025, 1 out of every two persons entering the workforce will also be Latino. The implications of these demographic changes will certainly influence how companies will conduct business in the very near future.
A study done at the Social Work Department of the University of New Hampshire by Jerry D. Marx in 2008 indicated that Latinos were eight times more likely to donate to human service organizations when using payroll deduction. In addition, Latinos who were solicited for donations over the phone were twice as likely to donate to educational organizations as Latino donors not solicited by phone. This could mean an opportunity for organizations funded by private donations to sustain their activist agendas.
What has been done by leading animal rights organizations to reach out to this market? Not a lot as far as I can tell. The HSUS does have a publication in Spanish available at one of their websites – “Spanish 101 for Staff at Animal Shelters”, but other than that, not much else I could find.
However, back in 2008, PETA (which is funded by HSUS according to an IRS disclosure on their website) made unsuccessful attempts to buy ads from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency to be placed at each of the nine southwest border sectors, apparently without success. Nonetheless, it seems they are aware of this population segment to market their messages. If ads had been approved, then those considering entry into the United States would have read this message: "If the border patrol doesn't get you, the chicken and burgers will. Go vegan" (or, in Spanish, "Si no te agarra la migra, te atraparán el pollo y las hamburguesas. Sé vegano").
Then, just recently, PETA again proposed to help the U.S. Custom and Border Protection agency secure the border by providing funds if they were allowed to hang their "Say No to Pot (Roast)" signs on the border.
Are Latinos a ground-floor opportunity for Animal Rights Activists? Time will only tell, but as someone might say, those who get there first, may get the first pickings!
I thank you for reading, and for your comments.
Orlando Gil TCTS LLC
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“Helping Bridge the Gap with the Latino Workforce in the Ag & Food Industries”
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I think this is ridiculous to imply that "latinos" are easily duped by Peta.
what about my stereotypic view that most "latinos" are goat-eating Mexicans.? Latinos in my estimation are more likely to be bbq addicts and have a family tradition of grilling MEAT.
I think this article is way off; and the tone to me seems derogatory to Latinos, insinuating they have poor judgement..
David,
Thank you for your comments. Not sure where it was implied that Latinos were easily duped by Peta - Please see Pam's response.
As she mentions, the intent was to show the potential this segment of the population represents to just about anyone that can see what is happening in this country demographically.
As far as the stereotype that most Latinos are "goat eating Mexicans", I can tell you - as a Latino myself - that most of us do eat and like meat (goat meat included when is available), but as we integrate and eventually assimilate, our views and potentially our children's views may be influenced by messages like the ones discusssed.
Thanks again for responding.
Orlando
I loved the fact Latinos are contributing to the workforce in the United States. And if is a huge market industry, in fact I'm Chicano born California, and my parents were born in the U.S.. I have my own business and am somewhat connected to the animal industry, but it's a niche market for my pet cremation artwork. I hope someday to create works of art using farm animals (pets) and exotic animals from zoo's and animal sanctuary's. The Latino future looks bright and will be a prosperous market to tap into soon, even if the U.S. border patrol will not let PETA into it!
Ashwork Design Concepts
Ashwork Design Concepts,
Thanks for the comments. Interesting line of work you are involved in. I can certainly see opportunities for your niche business as some people do see their pets as members of their families...
In regards to your comment of "I hope someday to create works of art using farm animals (pets)...", I am not quite sure I understand what you mean by that. Farm animals are not pets. Farm animals are raised and produced to feed the world.
Good luck with your business and thanks again,
Orlando
Interesting topic. I disagree with David- the author does not suggest that Latinos could be easily duped- but rather he just suggests that it seems inevitable that causes such as this will "market" to Latinos. What is surprising to me is PETA's apparent lack of creativity- "Go Vegan" seems like a lot to ask. You'd think they'd focus on trying to get people to think about animal cruelty, issues of confinement in the food animal industry... once you get people to care about those issues then they might consider giving up meat. But using it as an up-front pitch... I think they need a new ad campaign director!
It will be fascinating to observe the political changes in the future in the U.S. as all these young Latinos reach voting age and become engaged in shaping the future of this country. I like what I read here about Latinos being willing to donate to human service and educational programs. I'm hoping for a move toward a more socially progressive future, supportive of worker's rights and government-supported education and health care. (And compassionate animal husbandry- whether we choose to eat them or not!)
Pam,
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Yes, I agree. it will be interesting to see how Latinos will affect the political arena in years to come as our children grow up and are able to vote.
I also think that we are moving towards a more socially progressive future and this includes changes in animal production practices to ensure that these animals are produced in a safe, responsible manner. As an example, please see what the Pork Industry is doing to ensure our commitment to responsible animal production.
http://www.pork.org/filelibrary/ethicalprinciples/StatementofEthicalPrinciples.pdf
Thanks again,
Orlando
Feels as though I'm joining the conversation a little late but wanted to add the following... from my perspective.
First off --- Thank you Orlando for continously bringing this type of thought provoking message to the front of our proverbial plates.
Secondly --- I, for one, do believe Latinos are the low hanging fruit not only for animal rights activists but for a wide myriad of other action organizations. Why? Simple. Just look at demographics. I don't think Orlando was impling anything negative by using the phase "low hanging fruit." Rather, I think it was an aptly chosen phrase meant to express how, as Latinos continue to grow in our communities, they will increasingly be more and more subject to targeting among activists across the board.
Lastly --- I'd like to sign out by saying, with much pride, that I believe we as an industry have made noteworthy strides in terms of responsability and I challenge all of you to do your part to become better educated and also educate your family, friends and neighbors... So we are better prepared to provide an accurate and truthful retort to some of the negative PR that is generated by various activists groups... We pull together and protect the low hanging fruit, whomever it may be today, tomorrow and on down the line.
I'll start by saying I agree with Pam, this is a very interesting and largely unexplored topic. Hats off to Orlando for bringing it to the discussion table. And like Pam, I also disagree with David's comments entirely. The perspective I saw in this message was completely different. Having worked in the cattle industry, meat packing plants, animal based research companies and the swine production industry, I can tell you two things for cetain:
1) Latinos represent a large and growing percentage of the work force within these industries.
2) PETA and various other animal rights activist are continously stepping up their tatics and efforts to not only dissaude the public from eating meat but also to affect legislation and infiltrate companies for espionage and/or sabotage purposes.
With these two points in mind, it's wise to spectulate that the animal rights activist would target latinos. The question is, are latinos the "low hanging fruit?" While David was correct in pointing out meat is indeed a staple for many latino families, the same can be said for other demograpics as well... Chinese, English, German, Arabic, Maylasian, Phillipino, Korean... Humanity as a whole has sustained itself on a diet including meat over the millium. But that's not the point.
The point is, what are the newest efforts, tactics and targets for the animal rights activist? I'd say, based on my earlier observation that Latinos represent a large and growing portion of workers involved in the argicultural/food industry --- it's clear to me that they would be natural focus of the animal rights activist agenda and therefore could represent an easy target.
In closing, I'd like to address one last comment... In regards to Pam's hope's for a more socially progressive future, supportive of workers rights, government supported education, health care and also compassionate animal husbandry.
I agree 100 percent. I'm hoping for the same things. And in regards to the compassionate husbandry, I'm happy to report that I see this as a reality today. In all the places I've worked, the companies maintain a very strict zero tolerance for any inappropiete behaviour or conditions for the animals. I am proud to be a part of an industry that provides food for humanity and at the same time takes great care and responsability in humanely handling the animals.
Although I'm joining the conversation a little late in the game, I'd like to add a couple of comments as well.
For starters --- Hats off to Orlando for bringing the topic to the table.
Secondly --- I respect the opinions of everyone commenting.
Thirdly --- And mainly just to reinterate what Orlando has already pointed out, in regards to humane treatment of animals. From my own personel experiences covering over 15 years working in animal based research and development, the packing indstry and animal production, I've never seen anything even remotely depictive of images portrayed in the PR efforts of animal rights organizations such as PETA. In fact, most people I've encountered through my working relationships, regardless of their ethic origins, tend to be firmly rooted people with argicultural backgrounds and an appreciation for the lives and welbeing of the animals being used.
Lastly --- Does it make sense that the animal rights movement would want to target the latino population... seeing them as the low hanging fruit? You bet. Just look across demographics in the US. Latinos represent a rapidly growing segment in many catagories. Latinos are bound to be targeted by not only animal rights activists, but also by just about every other niche organization out there... Political, religious, consumerism, etc. The key to effectively assimilating all the messages and differing perspectives will be through education. We must strive forward to maintain reality based education efforts, not only among our new and exsiting workfoce but also directed out there towards the public in general.
Nicely Written!
I really loved how you have created your site, it's simple, neat, simple to get around and very easy on the eyes. Can you let me know which theme or designer did you use.
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