PETA slammed for resurfaced tweet that said drinking cow’s milk was a ‘symbol of white supremacy’

A resurfaced tweet from animal rights organization PETA, claiming that cow’s milk is a “symbol of white supremacy”, has gone viral and garnered millions of interactions.

In a 2017 tweet, the activist group said cow’s milk is a common drink among white supremacists because “the dairy industry inflicts extreme violence on other living things.”

“Cow’s milk has long been a symbol used by white supremacists. All the more reason to #DitchDairy,” said People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

The tweet was picked up and shared this weekend and has been viewed 4.2 million times.

PETA also claims on its website that “drinking milk is bad for human health,” but studies increasingly show that switching to plant-based versions can have lasting health consequences.

“Aside from ‘lactose tolerant’ white supremacists, cow’s milk is truly the go-to beverage of choice for all (even unwitting) supremacists because the dairy industry inflicts extreme violence on other living things,” wrote PETA on its website.

In a longer article on PETA’s website, the agency highlighted research that showed white Europeans can digest lactose better.

They said white supremacists used this as an excuse to consider themselves the “master race.”

“Aside from ‘lactose tolerant’ white supremacists, cow’s milk is truly the ideal beverage of choice for all supremacists (even unwitting ones), because the dairy industry inflicts extreme violence on other living beings,” writes the ‘agency.

“PETA is trying to make people aware of the implications of choosing this white drink and suggests they choose something else immediately.”

However, science has repeatedly shown that cow’s milk has more nutritional benefits than plant-based alternatives like oat and almond milk.

Earlier this summer, a major study found that nine out of ten plant-based milks are “nutritionally inferior” to cow’s milk.

These milks contained less than cow’s milk in at least one of three essential nutrients: calcium, vitamin D and protein.

Dr Abigail Johnson, the epidemiologist who led the study, said: “Our results prove that many plant-based milk alternatives are not nutritionally equivalent to cow’s milk.”

She even said that people who exclusively drink plant-based milk should consider taking supplements to ensure they’re not lacking essential vitamins and minerals.

Overall, plant-based milks contained about 350 milligrams (mg) of calcium and three micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D per 8.1 fluid ounces (fl oz) (240 milliliters, ml) on average.

They also contained about two grams (g) of protein per 8.1 fl oz (240 ml).

For comparison, the US Department of Agriculture says whole milk contains about eight grams of protein per 8.1 fl oz (240 ml).

It also contains about 306 mg of calcium and almost three mcg of vitamin D per serving.

Additionally, a report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which reviewed more than 500 studies, concluded that animal food sources offer “crucial sources of much-needed nutrients.”

These include proteins, fats and carbohydrates, iron, calcium and zinc.

Insufficient calcium intake has been linked to several health problems, including brittle nails, slower hair growth, and thin skin.

It can also increase the risk of osteoporosis, brittle or weakened bones, because when the body doesn’t get enough calcium, it must draw it from the bones.

In children, calcium is essential for growth and development.

This isn’t the first time PETA has tweeted strong opinions about dairy, with little evidence to back them up.

Also this weekend, the agency published: “Drinking cow’s milk is so embarrassing.”

They gave no explanation. When a user asked what other types of milk exist, PETA responded: “Oat milk, pea milk, macadamia milk, soy milk, tigernut milk, cashew milk, almond milk, coconut milk, rice, hemp, hazelnut, flax… all excellent alternatives. »

The organization also tweeted a video last week claiming that “cheese is destroying families” of cows because calves are being “ripped out” so their milk can be made into cheese.