Animal Right organizations must changeIn this new age of social

consciousness, animal rights organizations are

quickly gaining global mo-mentum to a degree never seen before. In spite of the amazing gains these orga-n i z a t i o n s have made in attracting more na-tional recog-nition, there

seems to be a lot of unrecognized hypocrisy within some of the more popular animal advocacy groups. What is most frightening about this current trend is the public’s unwill-ingness to come forward and con-demn obvious flaws, for fear that they be labeled an “animal hater.” This perception of “untouchability” that persists within these interest groups must change.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is not only one of the largest animal rights organiza-tions in the world, with over 3 mil-lion members and supporters, PETA is also one of the most brazen advocacy groups in the mainstream circuit. Sometimes viewed as more extremist with their infamous nudity campaigns and numerous A-list celebrity supporters, the organization has done a fantastic job of making people feel guilty for things they legally have a right to do. Unfortunately it’s exactly this practice of muckraking that turns many potential supporters away from PETA and other or-ganizations like it.

In the past when defending their position, PETA has always been quick to state that their only defend-

ing those that can’t defend or speak out for them-selves (animals). On the surface this is a very noble goal, but is it wrong to insult others in order to com-plete an agenda? With their offensive methods in hand, it’s not all that hard to understand why some people boldly turn away from the “animal rights cause” when their offensive media ads insensitively

mock others. In 2008, with the help of many letters and pe-

titions PETA’s Got Milk campaign was success-fully halted by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). PETA’s media ad, a twist on the popular phrase Got Milk was used to warn those of the effects of milk consumption. Besides, the fact that the pub-licity stunt was completely uncalled for, the research that supposedly backs of the claim that milk causes autism is not even entirely correct. The study only showed that the substance casein, which is found in more than just milk could be linked to autism. In the

past, PETA has also notably compared meat eaters to murderers, Nazis and Ku Klux Klan members. When publicity stunts like these are shown to millions the only reaction that can be expected is disgust.

Still, PETA’s hypocrisy can be found in more than just their outlandish media campaign’s. In recent years, the animal rights organization has caught heat

for supposedly authorizing the “euth-anization” of hundreds of animals that were being housed in their animal shelters. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services found that in the state of Virginia, PETA’s animal shelters had eutha-nized 95 percent of the total amount of animals that they took in. The practice of euthanasia is completely duplici-tous in comparison to some of the oth-er practices that the organization has labeled as inhumane or inappropriate. According to PETA affording animals with a peaceful death is the best way that people can show they care. This belief is completely counter-intuitive because there are millions of people around the world willing to provide loving homes to hundreds of home-less animals

While their methods may not always be ethical or wise, animal rights organizations are a necessary part of our society. PETA and other organizations like it, who speak out against animal cruelty help ensure that animals are protected from malicious abuse. The problem in lies with animal rights orga-nizations that persist in questioning the populace’s consumer rights. People have a right to eat and wear animals regardless of humanitarian jargon.

Graphic from www.throughtheeysofautism.com

Mikala StokesStaff Reporter

One developmental milestone of young children similar to

becoming left-handed or right-handed, is develop-ing a few favorite learning styles, or in some cases, one favorite. Most people do not know what style they prefer, even though they have most likely been using it most of

their life. But there are many benefits to discover-ing and using your own learning style.

According to Keys to study skills: Opening doors to learning by Carter C. of the University of Georgia, there are eight different learning styles/ intelligences: Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence, Logi-cal-Mathematical Intelligence, Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence, Visual-Spatial Intelligence, Inter-personal Intelligence, Intrapersonal Intelligence, Musical Intelligence, and Naturalistic Intelligence. All of these learning styles involve using different methods to learn. For example, people with Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence use speaking and listening to learn better. They may understand verbal in-structions better than written instructions. They may do better in a class if they listen rather than

write down notes. According to the website learning-styles-online.

com, “Traditional schooling [uses] mainly linguistic and logical teaching methods. It also uses [only] a limited range of learning and teaching techniques. Many schools still rely on classroom and book-based teaching, much repetition, and pressured ex-ams for reinforcement and review.” Because of this, many of the students who learn better using those few common learning techniques; for example, a person with a Linguistic Intelligence, will be taught in a way that they learn best and will have a greater chance of understanding more than someone who has a learning style like Musical Intelligence, or Interpersonal Intelligence. These people with less common learning styles may not be considered “gifted” in their school and may not end up in ad-vanced courses just because they are not taught in a way that’s effective for them. Even though this may be unfair to some people, the benefit of having these different learning styles is that these people can discover how they learn best and change their study habits to help them succeed. A person with an Interpersonal Intelligence can study in a group or teach someone else to help themselves learn. If a person can individualize their study habits then they can succeed more than they would with the

tradition schooling methods only. Another benefit of having and knowing about

the different learning styles is that each person can know the subjects and professions that they will succeed most at. Each learning style has different topics associated with it. For example a person who has an intrapersonal learning style will be best at a job where they don’t have to involve other people in their activities because they work better indepen-dently, while a person who has an Interpersonal learning style will succeed more at a job where they do have to work in groups with others. If a person knows their learning style, they can choose a sub-ject of profession that they will succeed most at and enjoy working at more.

There are lots of benefits of knowing your own learning style. If a person can know how they learn best then they can achieve to their fullest potential in school despite how most schools teach to one or two common learning styles. Also they can choose a profession that they will be good at doing and enjoy doing. Knowing your own learning style will help you be successful all through life.

Benefits of knowing your own learning style

Katie O’DonnellStaff Reporter