Tuesday, September 27, 2011

I'm a winner of the PETA essay contest yay!!

So I didn't tell anyone, but I entered an essay contest that PETA was giving with the first prize being a free Urban Expressions handbag or clutch from their Fall 2011 line.

And I was one of the winners!

So I want to share my entry. They sent me a beautiful snakeskin clutch, which I found in brown online, but it's really more of a pale tan.


Urban Expressions Clutch



What does cruelty free mean to me?

            They say the world is dog eat dog, but in reality we are the only species that takes pleasure in bringing others down, or continues to prepare meats and skins for anything other than survival. There was a time when slaughtering an animal was an essential need for the human race, but we seem to conveniently forget that the peoples who hunted animals also gave them something else in return, this was an enormous amount of respect. They respected animals and gave thanks to the leather they provided for their clothing and shelter, the meat they provide to their family and their health. Today women buy up leather bags, not ever thinking or thanking the cows that provide them that luxury. And it is a luxury, not a need. We constantly want, more and more in order to have the “right” look, or the rarest delicacy. We are never happy with what we have.
            For many people, it is no longer necessary to buy leather or eat meat, because we have alternative options. These options, to some, seem to add up to a bland lifestyle, but if we never strive to change and try new things, we will never discover happiness in our own lives. Cruelty free does not only mean not doing harm, it means being thankful for what you have, and giving those who have less an opportunity to live happy lives. I own tons of shoes, bags, coats, blouses, jeans, and there are so many people in the world who have one, or less of those things. Animals are happy with a shady tree for shelter, food to survive and access to water. These are the things they need, and they want no more than this. 
            People often say it is barbaric to live like animals, but if we lived more like animals, and respected animals, we would live simpler, happier lives. We can still have those things that we want every once in a while, but it doesn’t have to come at the price of an animal’s life. Would you slaughter your best friend for the latest leather it-bag? If the answer is no, then you shouldn’t slaughter an animal for it either.



$23 - windsorstore.com


1 comment:

  1. wow thats awesome! great job! love the clutch and great essay!

    ReplyDelete