269life: Our Own KONY2012

November 28th, 2012

The staged branding event that the group 269life held in October for “World Farm Animals Day” made some waves internationally as people were inspired by the level of dedication and commitment it would have taken to both set up and pull of that stunt.

What came after became an increasingly odd and ill thought out campaign to encourage awareness of animal exploitation by means of misanthropy, cultural appropriation, anti-choice imagery and flat out racism.

Just like the slick delivery of KONY2012 – which played off of white guilt, conformity, and quick, shareable social media content – 269life also has that day after sobering effect where anyone willing to take beyond a moments reflection will understand that they are engaging in something offensive.

It will take some digging, piecing together interviews and promotional materials that don’t exist on their website – however, the picture becomes very clear after a short while. Not only are these activists intent on appropriating human suffering through analogy to futher their own aims (which is all too common and fucking disgusting in itself) – they actually flat out call for an end to animal rights activists supporting, engaging or organizing around the advancement of any human cause,

It’s unacceptable for anyone who consider themselves a non-speciesist vegan person to promote human rights. Can anyone imagine a partisan who fights at noon to liberate Jews from concentration camps held by Nazis, and at night to make conditions for the Nazis better? It’s a contradiction. We, as people who are committed to justice, cannot ignore that contradiction. We need to understand that theoretically, animals deserve rights just as humans deserve rights. Theoretically we are all equal in the moral status, but in reality, human rights come at the expense of animal rights. It’s a fact. As the socio-economic situation of people improves, more animals are abused and murdered. As more countries become free and developed, the more we’ll see industrialized animal agriculture. We mustn’t ignore this paradox. We need to comprehend that humans are the animals’ criminals. Theoretically, all humans deserve rights, but in reality, rapists’ rights come on the expense of women’s rights. We need to choose sides, the animals or the humans – we can’t choose both. Do we want to be on the victims’ side or on the criminals’ side? This is one reason why we should invest all our time in promoting animal rights, and not be active for people.Source

This grade school line of thinking flies in the face of so much of the organizing that happens within our movement, that we support and that we engage in and lacks any critical reflection on how the animal advocacy movement began and the long history of organizing across movements that has both bettered the lives of human beings and other animal species. I feel too ashamed to be forced to give examples.

So there you have it. A branding stunt, slick social media, and a lowest common denominator approach to calling everything a “holocaust” and “slavery” while wrapping your message in absurd images of fetuses and the continent of Africa. I think at this point it goes without saying that if I see you with one of these tattoo’s – we are going to have a talk.

There are endless ways to show solidarity with other species that are both lasting and sincere and that don’t require one to step on anyone else in the process. I repeat, there are endless ways to show solidarity with other species that are both lasting and sincere and that don’t require one to step on anyone else in the process. I wish this message just needed to be delivered to 269life and not the ENTIRE FUCKING MOVEMENT.

So, save your tattoo’s, send back your KONY packages – and let’s up the dialogue a bit please!

For those unconvinced – we strongly urge heading over to Because We Must to read Jennifer Cox’s – “On Analogies As Advocacy Tools: Some Thoughts On Appropriation”

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Posted in News | 27 Comments »



27 Responses to “269life: Our Own KONY2012”

  1. Paul says:
    November 29, 2012 at 4:07 am

    I’m not sure that it’s necessary to use the f-word to make your point: that you are unhappy with so-and-so’s position on something. I found the ad hominem tone a little distracting, even though you seem to be making a valid point, that human rights matter (I think that’s what you were saying?)

  2. emily says:
    December 19, 2012 at 4:06 am

    Shut up, Paul.

  3. Ben says:
    December 19, 2012 at 4:11 am

    Well, this IS a ‘VEGAN POLICE’ blog. I would expect some fire and color in the text and op-eds. I’m glad to have read this. As someone just getting my feet wet in the animal rights scene, I’m always glad to get some insider opinions on organizations and messages ‘under the umbrella’, so to speak. Not to blindly subscribe to, but intelligent critique helps me get a grasp of the different sides and mindsets within the movement. Helps me arm myself with more solid info with which to form my own opinions and decide where I stand. So, thanks.

  4. Francesca says:
    December 19, 2012 at 5:50 am

    I am disturbed by the idea of animal rights activists saying they are against human rights because increasing human rights comes at the expense of animals (which is a vast oversimplification of complex issues and the many diverse forms human rights campaigns take). I would like a source for this though, because I know some people involved in one of the events and know that this person would not agree with that at all.

  5. noone says:
    December 19, 2012 at 9:41 am

    @paul – where exactly is the ad hominem attack? i’m not seeing it, unless you are talking about comparing it to KONY2012, which, based on the marketing strategy they’ve chosen (and yes, i mean marketing strategy). i am seeing a critical perspective on the tactics and tone of a campaign.

    also, while the use of the word “fucking” might not be necessary to effectively put forth the arguement, it is hardly a strike against it, either.

    i think this actually is a good critique of a particular campaign that illustrates a weakness of not just animal rights, but also of many other single-issue focused activism.

  6. admin says:
    December 19, 2012 at 10:07 pm

    @Francesca – the source is hyperlinked at the end of that quote and can also be found below.

    http://thethinkingvegan.com/interviews/more-from-269-the-animal-rights-movement/

  7. Saxon says:
    December 20, 2012 at 12:50 am

    I am glad to of seen this today. I am glad that I am not the only one see these guys on how they really are. I have written an article about my interactions with this group and the group leader. It might interest you. What the mark 269 represents is more disturbing then what most people think it means. There’s a dark side to the three numbers 269. Not only does the numbers 269 mean you are not for human rights but you are to make an enemy out of anyone who is for human rights, who is a vegetarian, who is a meat eater, who is an environmentalist, and other vegans. They also state that throwing vegan partners out of the movement is part of the job. Most vegans they claim are speciesism and they don’t encourage 269 vegans to interact with them when they advocate for animals. 269 also means you must dedicate every waking moment of your life to the 269 cause, if you don’t you are not a real vegan. Also if you are vegan for any other reason besides animals…even if it includes animals but you have other reasons to like human rights then you are considered a vegan tractor. They are against being a healthy vegan. To talk about health and veganism in the same sentence is forbiddin. If you do you are selfish. There is much more and I will send you what I wrote and my personal thoughts on 269. I applaud you and will look more into your site when I am not on my phone. Here is the link my friend. http://veganismisthefuture.com/269gothypocrisy/

  8. Thäran says:
    December 21, 2012 at 1:03 am

    Thank you for this! I had missed that part of the interview! I was surprised when I tried to politely criticise them on one issue and got insulted http://wp.me/p2pXW1-1Z (too bad they deleted the first event page). I’m surprised to learn that Sasha Boojoor AKA SashaVegan Cannibal is the one driving the movement because of all the followers/supporters I know in Africa. How did dozens of smart vegans also miss that aspect?! I didn’t read further about them or follow their page or profile.

    Everyone I know probably don’t care if they’re ableist so what I wrote unsurprisingly got ignored a lot, but if they still support 269 and proudly show-off their tattoo now, I really don’t know how I can trust them. I maintain that no part of this campaign was ever useful, it is also offensive to human slaves, to Africans, to animals, to veganism and to logic, thus far.

    What equality and level of respect are we fighting for as allies to the animals (and they don’t give a toss if you’re branded or tattooed) if we can’t keep upholding respect, rights and equality for each other. Why is the 269 calling this ethics again? o_O

  9. John Sakars says:
    December 26, 2012 at 5:41 am

    Thanks for researching this group. I feel glad that I didn’t get the 269 tattoo. I’m for love for all beings. People need to realize that all meat eaters are victims of the system of carnism. They have been conditioned to believe that eating animals is normal, natural and necessary. I find it’s easier to feel empathy for people who eat meat, when you realize they are victims, just as the animals are victims.

  10. vegangsterARNP says:
    December 28, 2012 at 12:19 am

    I am going to put it in the words of my friend:

    if everyone was as anti SPECIESISM as they are about racism, sexism, etc, we wouldn’t NEED to have this discussion. As it stands, even VEGANS are total and utter speciesists…

    I agree with them wholeheartedly, although I would have said it differently. The oppressed have NO voice, and cannot defend themselves. Period. Does anyone truly give a sh*t about this!!!!??????

    hundreds of millions are killed per DEUM. They are JUST as loving, JUST as desirous of living their lives as we are, but they are just different.

    I do not go crazy personally about any group, but I truly hope it attracts so called radicals, and how dare anyone use the word radical pejoratively anyhow? Go head…align yourselves with the apathetic…the complacent… radicalism is the only thing that has ever changed anything on a massive scale. bad publicity is GOOD publicity.

    269 and whyculturedmeat.org are absolutely correct. You cannot get 7 billion plus people to shift the way they think. Especially not when people are hushing the loudmouths, and calling them radicals. The soft, supposed to love everyone, and be nice, and not get upset has PROVEN it does not work.

    WAKE UP you lame-os

  11. vegangsterARNP says:
    December 28, 2012 at 12:21 am

    By the way, you don’t have to blindly subscribe to anything. You can be an intelligent, critical thinker, and take good points and leave the bad ones behind. This type of thinking, this black and white, good or bad, this either agreeing with all points or none at all, putting organizations on pedestals or demonizing them…it’s all ridiculous. take what you need, and move on!

  12. vegangsterARNP says:
    December 28, 2012 at 12:22 am

    Saxon, meat eaters and vegetarians and anyone who pays and creates the demand for the exploitation and flesh peddling IS an enemy….to the billions of other creatures on this planet…wake UP you lame-os.

  13. Saxon says:
    December 28, 2012 at 7:15 am

    ARNP I always wondered a few things about 269. I am pretty sure I have asked Sasha these questions but the only answers him and 269ers give me are insults. It seems like the pass time of 269 is to see who can come up with the best insults. It helps their ego at the expense of the animals sadly. I don’t understand why they feel the need to have the best insult rather then the best educational advise. You just proved my point with calling us lame-os because we have a different opinion then you? We are all fighting for the animals. The animals must love it that you guys are making enemies out of those who are also fighting for them as well.

    I don’t understand a few things about the 269 movement though. I have tried to talk to Sasha about it, but his macho insults seem to be his priority, same with the other 269ers but here me out.

    -If the 269 campaign is against human rights then why does Sasha constantly compare his campaign to a human right’s issue(The Holocaust)?”

    -He also likes to use hypothetical’s that include things like rape and pedophilia which are also human right’s issues. He talks about these issues like he cares for them, but at the same time claiming not to care about a rape victim at all.

    -Also Sasha compares animal exploitation to that of the Jews. Sasha has defended the right’s of the Jews over and over again yet the Jews butchered animals and ate meat like we do today. In your definition aren’t they considered the enemy like the rest of the 99% of people on this planet? Why does Sasha defend these meat eaters and not others? Why does he put down almost everyone for eating meat, but not the Holocaust victims? They ate meat, so why is he helping them, or defending their honor?

    -Also if your campaign or Sasha’s campaign claims to not want human rights to progress and to ignore it and be against it, then wouldn’t that make you a Nazi in itself? I mean the people who liberated the Jews were ALL human right’s activist (your enemy) without them, the Jews would of kept on suffering and who knows! We may not have Jews today if it weren’t for those human right’s activist.

    Since Sasha and your movement dislike human rights and don’t want anything to do with them, lets put YOU, Sasha and the other 260ers in the days of the Holocaust. What would you guys have done? Nothing? I bid my life on it because you find the act of human kindness towards another an act of disgust. If the 269 campaign existed back then, you guys would of been part of the Nazi problem, not the solution.

    The people who liberated those Jews in your eyes would be considered the enemy. The Jews themselves would also be considered enemy scum because they ate meat and butchered animals so even the victims you use to progress your movement are the enemy you claim not to care about.

    Also where is the proof ARNP that being kind to another human being, being soft and nice and trying to educate does not work? Also where is the proof that calling people satanic worshiping, rape loving, child molesting, cunt, ignorant, dumb, stupid, disgusting, uneducated lowlife individuals works? Do you use those words against people and do they want to jump on the vegan band wagon after being told that someone should go hang themselves with giggles and laughter for “liking” a comment 269 doesn’t agree with? <—that's happening right now by the way.

    Of course nothing is a quick fix. We can't just expect change by sitting on our asses. It's hard work and we have to be willing to do it for the animals. 269 is very busying insulting people, being hypocrites, demolishing the vegan movement and making enemies out of everyone on this planet.

    While your busy feeding your egos over at 269 the rest of us are going to continue to fight for all victims, no matter who they are.

    Peace!

  14. Michael Maraschino says:
    December 29, 2012 at 7:06 pm

    When I asked Sasha how, from a moral perspective, he could equate meat-eating with genocide, rape, pedophilia and murder – he tried evading the topic several times before admitting:

    ‘I dont have a concrete philosophical position, been struggling with many existential questions.’

    Source: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=384833384944706&set=a.351898754904836.85054.351005438327501&type=1&comment_id=949383&offset=0&total_comments=149

    He then redirected me to his (conveniently) closed group to answer further questions.

    While I awaited an answer for a question on the group, I noticed I had been blocked from commenting on the page. My contributions were removed under the flimsy pretext of being warned about ‘flooding’ the page (I hadn’t been warned of any such thing). Shortly after, I was banned from the group, too.

    Sasha’s done a brilliant job cultivating a bunch of armchair vegans who think eating meat and branding, tattooing or drawing on themselves – oh, and swearing at critics – counts as serious activism.

    The rhetoric used – comparing meat-eating to murder, rape, genocide, rape, pedophilia, and whatever other negative connotations they can raise – is not only incredibly tasteless, but bombastic and nonsensical. It’s only purpose is to court controversy and dehumanise meat-eaters.

    269 is a fad that will likely diminish as fast as its one-trick gimmicks. Still, it’s very worrying to see a group that’s almost like the vegan equivalent of the Westboro Baptist Church.

  15. iheartar says:
    December 29, 2012 at 8:47 pm

    Isn’t advocating solely for animal rights and calling for the end of advocating for human rights just as speciesist as a human rights campaigner who doesn’t see the need for animal rights?

    Animal rights is a social justice movement, and as such, it aligns with other movements who works for *all* oppressed, marginalized, and exploited groups and beings.
    What 269 suggests will only continue to foster sexism, racism, etc. within the movement–if we are trying to improve our relationship with non-human animals, we aren’t going to do it if we can’t improve our relationship with human animals as well.

    Being vegan means the circle of compassion, respect, and justice is enlargened and expanded to include all living beings. To suggest otherwise is willfully putting on blinders to suffering.

  16. Michael Maraschino says:
    December 30, 2012 at 4:36 am

    269 is a borderline cult, iheartar. While I was (very) briefly a member of the group, I noticed its wall was lined with little more than photos people had sent in, showing their 269 tattoos. It’s a brand, in the literal and commercialised sense of the word.

    It gets better. I also found out the group is soliciting donations, with a $5000 target. I noticed he’d managed to raise $2500 at that point. However, the donation page didn’t disclose what this money was being raised for, nor what it was going to be directed to.

    So, I asked Sasha. He said,

    ‘In regards to your inquiry, there is no shortage of worldwide activities that were responsible for. Not that any of it is of any relevance to this discussion . . .’

    Source: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=386196304808414&set=a.351898754904836.85054.351005438327501&type=1&comment_id=949555&offset=0&total_comments=58

    A nice, vague answer. A little *too* vague, wouldn’t you say? No surprises I was booted off shortly after for making such inquiries, my posts conveniently hidden from view.

    Before providing donations, I suggest 269 contributors ask exactly *where* their money’s going to. It could very well be used to line Sasha’s pockets. I say that, because the only ‘work’ the group seems to do is tattoo – or sharpie – themselves and bombard newsfeeds with posts designed to elicit hostile reactions.

  17. Saxon says:
    January 1, 2013 at 9:43 pm

    Michael I was a follower of your post for a couple of days. You ask many great questions and gave many wonderful intelligent answers. You were one of the most intelligent people in that group! I actually wrote about a reply one of the 269ers gave you on one of the post on my facebook page. It was dedicated to you since I really loved what you wrote. I don’t comment, like or do anything on 269 because I have already been “thrown out” because I am lowlife, speciesest vegan according to them.

    If you would like to read what I wrote you can visit my page. Your name was change to hide your identity respectively. I am sure you can figure out what post is dedicated to you. If you would like to be a part of my page you can send me a message on facebook. My facebook is Saxon Murphy. I don’t want 269ers coming after my facebook page if I state the title in public because lot’s of them kinda know me since I have written not so good things about them on my website.

    269, I agree is the Westboro Baptish Church version of the vegan movement. You are encouraged not to question and to follow. I also did read the post where you asked Sasha where the money is going to a few days back. I feel everyone has the right to know where their money is going. I do feel yes, it is likely that it’s being shoved right into Sasha’s pocket because most people that don’t want the money for themselves will explain in detail where the money is going towards.

    People just blindly put their hard earned money into Sasha’s fund and do not ask questions about it because they are taught not too.

    I just had to come here to vent because I see 269 flooding my wall because all the pages I have “liked” all of them share and support 269. I am just sick of seeing this scam artist scam everyone. Your intelligent Michael, you sure weren’t fooled.

    –> That’s not meant to be a diss on anyone else because I was fooled for a small bit as well <–

    Anyways I indeed wrote a post about you and about one of the replies you received from a 269er. I was surprised when I found your post on here and I am like crap, that's Michael, he was banned…oh darn.

    Anyways, I just wanted to say you had great answers Michael. Your welcomed on my vegan page anytime!

  18. Michael Maraschino says:
    January 3, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    Saxon, thank you for your kind words.

    It’s a shame Sasha resorted to censoring and belittling what I was posting on there, instead of tackling it in a sensible way. My deep regret is that other 269lifers will only see a one-sided view, as most posts ‘vanished’ too. I’m glad some – including yourself – were able to see them before that happened.

    I’m glad you noticed my question about the money. To me, vague allusions to ‘worldwide activities’ (especially as these are not visible on a page filled with tattoos and doctored pictures). I was interested to know if he was doing something worthwhile with it – like contributing to animal welfare – rather than (possibly) lining his own pockets.

    Unfortunately, Sasha did not clarify that issue.

    Thanks for sharing your vegan page, too – but I noticed you left the ‘m’ off com in your website thingy in these comments. Lucky I’m computer savvy :P

  19. Anthony Pattie says:
    January 6, 2013 at 2:26 pm

    Hey Michael,

    I noticed you got here before me, I guess it is not necessary for me to post as you and Saxon have covered it all.

    But for those interested in spreading the word against the 269 “cult” please visit
    http://www.facebook.com/vmvalliance?ref=tn_tnmn

  20. lame-o says:
    January 21, 2013 at 1:34 am

    Hey vegangster, “The soft, supposed to love everyone, and be nice, and not get upset has PROVEN it does not work.”

    I don’t give a toss about loving even friends and being nice, when provoked. Even if some ‘vegans’ eat honey, if someone says that propolis was good for health in any place I can refute it, I would and ABOUT THE HONEY ISSUE because if I insult them instead, they would stop listening and I may never have a chance to tell them again. You merely liked such a photo that someone posted on your timeline on Friday, showing a few foods for health and honey/propolis in a bottle as good for health! I’d be peeved if someone posted honey on my timeline.

    I’d be mad for any animal’s sake, and even if someone uses slurs whether it insults animals or people e.g. if someone calls me lame although I happen to be lame physically but that’s not what you mean above. Anyway you’re a nurse right, doesn’t the medical industrial complex you support train you to use other insults?

    If you hate people because you work with them in a setting that abuses animals to help people, your personal frustrations are irrelevant to the vegan movement. What is wrong there is the industries not the people you help.

    A cult just taking money, making some visual designs that is not effective in any way, and talking out of their ass is harmful to the movement. I’m sorry you can’t see that but if you *have* to defend them as well, at least explain why, don’t just rant and insult people. There are 1000s of organisations who do actual work and need the money people are wasting to 269life. So few give to vegan causes, because we’re only 1% and there are shelters to give to as well, not the ones where PETA kills animals hopefully.

  21. dani 269 says:
    March 9, 2013 at 6:15 pm

    oh, sure. vegans need to be very polite to those who kill and torture others. people are always more important no matter what they do. hey, i think there are some cannibal tribes in africa starving as we speak. how about we send them some fat babies? they do have a right to eat what they want. it’s a matter of personal choice, isn’t it?
    good look with an anti 269cult campaign. it’s a cause worth fighting for!

  22. Lesley Dove says:
    March 26, 2013 at 8:30 am

    Actually the pro-life imagery which I had not seen before (please do NOT call it anti-choice when the “choice” you support is to kill an unborn child totally needlessly!) only makes me MORE likely to support 269.. just saying..

  23. Lucy Jones says:
    March 26, 2013 at 5:58 pm

    “Not only are these activists intent on appropriating human suffering through analogy to futher their own aims (which is all too common and fucking disgusting in itself)”

    If someone compares human suffering to non human animal suffering in a leaflet etc it’s to help non human animals (who’s suffering is on a much larger and more severe scale than human suffering.) There’s nothing wrong with comparing the two. In fact it’s speciesist to think it’s wrong to compare the two. Why do humans always have to come first? Don’t get me wrong I don’t agree with everything that’s said on the 269 website and I am pro human rights but saying it’s wrong to compare human and animal suffering is speciesist!

  24. Lesley Dove says:
    March 29, 2013 at 10:40 pm

    I posted a few days ago but it has not appeared so I guess you like to censor? 269 is not pro-life despite the foetal picture which as a pro-life vegan I have taken issue with them about, I think they should be more honest and not use this image if they are not pro-life.

  25. Dee says:
    April 4, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    “If someone compares human suffering to non human animal suffering in a leaflet etc it’s to help non human animals (who’s suffering is on a much larger and more severe scale than human suffering.) There’s nothing wrong with comparing the two. In fact it’s speciesist to think it’s wrong to compare the two. Why do humans always have to come first? Don’t get me wrong I don’t agree with everything that’s said on the 269 website and I am pro human rights but saying it’s wrong to compare human and animal suffering is speciesist!”

    I agree with Lucy. Life is life. No matter what form it is in. And the suffering animals experience and have experienced throughout history as a whole cannot be compared-it is insurmountable. Suffering is suffering and I am surprised there is even a debate about this within this community.

  26. dee says:
    April 4, 2013 at 7:55 pm

    I support the 269 campaign, and I support others as well, both financially and otherwise. There are many roads to one destination and some may be bumpier and not as pretty as others, but they serve the same purpose. I do not follow all campaigns staunchly, especially PETA, that has it’s own evils. It is never good to follow without question. The 269 campaign is harsh and real and I think it has it’s place.
    So when I wear my 269 sweater I will not be subjected to anyone’s crticisms. It is my choice to support what I wish and it is not up for debate. What business is it of anyone else’s how I choose to support the greater cause? Mind your own business and support the movement how you wish and don’t worry about other’s choices of support.

  27. Jennai says:
    April 5, 2013 at 7:26 am

    Yo Lesley:
    It is ANTI-CHOICE because you think you have a right to deny someone a right to CHOOSE what happens to their own body for the sake of a cluster of unfeeling cells. If you are actually concerned about preserving the lives of women* you should give your head a shake if you think denying them access to healthcare and essential services are the way to get MORE lives to be “saved.” 269Life uses anti-choice imagery and the “life” phrasing and I don’t think that is an accident. Shame you think you’re being “censored” when someone chooses not to allow you a platform to support the death of countless women* in service of potential future babies that they do not want to have. Anti-choice women are gender traitors as far as I’m concerned.

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