Amanda Gorman Faces Backlash from PETA Over Dairy Industry Partnership
Amanda Gorman, the renowned poet laureate and activist, has found herself in hot water after partnering with MilkPEP, a marketing arm of the dairy industry. PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has come after Gorman for supporting an event funded by the dairy industry.
The collaboration between Gorman and MilkPEP was for the inaugural Every Woman’s Marathon, which is marketed as the only marathon in the United States designed by and for women. Gorman appeared in an ad alongside images of women running and training, reciting a poem that aimed to inspire and empower.
However, PETA sees this partnership as a betrayal of Gorman’s previous support for animal rights causes. In a letter written by Lisa Lange, PETA’s senior VP of communications and a distance runner herself, PETA questions why Gorman would support an event organized by a group that they believe mistreats animals.
Lange argues that the dairy industry is responsible for environmental destruction, physical and emotional distress of cows, and the health problems faced by many due to lactose intolerance. PETA calls for Gorman to withdraw her support from the event, stating that as a voice of a generation, she should not endorse the exploitation of any species, be it bovine or human.
It is worth noting that Gorman has shown support for animal rights causes in the past, advocating for the rescue of animals from shelters. However, PETA believes that her association with MilkPEP contradicts her previous stance.
As of now, Gorman has not responded to the controversy surrounding her partnership with MilkPEP. It remains to be seen how she will address the concerns raised by PETA and whether she will continue to support the Every Woman’s Marathon.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by public figures when it comes to aligning their personal beliefs with their endorsements and partnerships. Gorman’s association with the dairy industry has sparked a debate about the ethics of supporting industries that may have conflicting values.
