To be a globe-trotting vegan animal rights advocate

[Guest guest]

Jason Baker is the reason we know about People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): deploying food and water for pets abandoned in the war zone in Lebanon as Israeli planes indiscriminately dropped cluster bombs; smashing windows and breaking down doors to let loose animals threatened by drowning and starvation from Hurricane Katrina’s flood waters in New Orleans; stalking then-US Vice-President Al Gore for six months in a bunny costume until the man relented and decided against supporting animal testing; rallying Filipino fashion model Isabel Roces to pose in nothing more than cabbage leaves to advocate vegetarianism; and picketing franchise outlets of the fast-food giant Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) to demand humane culling practices. Yes, that’s him in the chicken suit. Harnessing the media attention to spotlight his advocacy, he may also be responsible for reinforcing some stereotypes we may have about animal rights

advocates—such as that they are attention-grabbing men in chicken suits. As director of People for the PETA Asia Pacific at its offices here in the Philippines, he is bringing previously unheard of awareness to his cause. He has gotten our attention. Now is the time for understanding. "We take the animal’s side every time. It’s about not eating animals, not wearing animals, not experimenting on animals, not having them in a zoo," Baker explains PETA’s stand. But there are other things we want to know. What is it like to don a chicken suit? Is wearing one really necessary? Are animal rights advocates overly sentimental about animals? Are vegans disgusted when their friends sink their teeth into a juicy hamburger? And how do PETA advocates feel about a reporter entering their office in leather boots? To know Baker is to understand the humanity behind all those humane. This vegan is no social outcast despite his lifestyle and

even has a dietician on his side: Susan Baker, a chef for US President Bill Clinton, has, along with Baker’s father and siblings, become a vegan as well. Recalling animal rescue efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Baker proudly recalls, "I drafted my father to help organize the animal food warehouse." After three years as vegetarian and 14 years as a vegan, Baker admits, "I definitely didn’t go vegan for the taste. KFC still smells good to me," he confides. "I’m more against dairy products," noting that we are the only species that persists in drinking milk past infancy and that majority of humans develop lactose intolerance past the age of 2. And he asserts, "There’s no reason to eat meat nowadays," recalling his horror when he learned how animals were slaughtered. He notes that PETA receives enormous support from celebrity endorsers in the Philippines such as Roces and fellow model Raya Mananquil, Manual Magazine editor in chief and

former Sunday Times Magazine columnist RJ Ledesma, as well as the general public. He notes that in many ways, the country has been more receptive to their vegan advocacy than India, a traditionally vegetarian society, where today’s youth eschew old practices for western lifestyles. This animal rights advocate is not a pet lover. "I’m not into hugging and cuddling. I’m against suffering, whether human or animal." As for their recent campaign against Manila Zoo, he says, "Our campaign is against the Manila Zoo where we try to educate people that the zoo is not a good place for animals. We are against all zoos. The Manila Zoo happens to be one of the worst. It’s about letting animals be where they should be." The young man disproves stereotypes about vegans and vegetarians as gaunt fellows. He cites Olympian gold medalist Carl Lewis and buff celebrity Woody Harrelson as vegans with muscle. He also dispels the notion that animal rights

activists are extremists or overly sentimental. "We are pragmatic; we know the world won’t become vegan overnight," he says citing animal welfare policies and vegetarian alternatives they advocate for fast-food chains. He notes that they support euthanasia to end animal suffering in terminal cases. "Protest is the last option," he declares. "We have people who are passionate about issues. We suggest ways to react. Screaming and yelling are not the best tactics," he explains. "You have to embarrass them into changing." On wearing bunny and chicken suits in public, "You build your way up to it," he says explaining that at various times he has worn diapers dressed as a cupid and giant condom. "I’ve been arrested a couple of times," he testifies. Stalking politicians in animal costumes may seem a bit crazy, but what is truly insane is the unnecessary cruelty inflicted upon animals with brutal farm practices and the hurt we inflict upon our

selves and on the planet with our cholesterol-laced carnivorous diets. With a world such as ours, we could use a few good men in chicken suits such as Jason Baker.Peter H

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