The problem I have with the fur debate is that both sides present it as too simplistic of a choice. Like most things in life, it’s not a simple black or white issue.
The Fur Coat Debate: It’s a Gray… Very Gray… Area
My friend Miss Meghan and I always have this discussion about growing up in the ridiculously cold upper Midwest and seeing women at the grocery stores in their long fur coats. In any other part of the country, this display of wealth would seem ostentatious, but in the pre-thinsulate, absurdly cold upper Midwest, the wearing of fur coast wasn’t only about fashion, but also about warmth. Did they need their fur coats? Well that’s debatable- it did serve a function, but a wool coat ( a really thick wool coat) would have done just fine.
In many communities, such as the African-American communities that I belong to, having a fur coat is a symbol of success and/or a reward for a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice. Now, are there better ways to reward yourself? Sure, in fact I could name about 10. However, who I am to tell my 70 year old aunts, who endured 40 years of sh*t working for people who didn’t appreciate them that they can’t buy the one thing they always wanted. I can only imagine what would happen if a protester threw red paint on them as they walked up the steps to church.
So I ask you, is fur an absolute nay or yea? Is there a gray area? What about those of us who inherited fur coats? What happens when the personal (fashion) collides with the political (anti-fur)?
Note: I’m not passing judgment on anyone who owns a fur and I actually support those who are against it for ethical/political reasons. However, I inherited a fabulous fur (it’s seriously fab) , which I will not sell or destroy for personal reasons. At the same time, I wouldn’t go out and purchase a fur myself. I think a lot of people fall into the gray area with me.
P.S. Please be respectful to each other in this debate. I don’t like deleting comments, but I will.
photo: Associated Press
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Comments
Gee, after reading some of these comments, maybe my opinion counts more if I add in that I DON’T eat beef.
Fur is gross...I don’t think it’s the status symbol it once was since too many people know too much about the fur trade. Yeah, I look down on people who wear it, in part b/c I think they look silly. And, mink and cow are two very different industries, but maybe it’s better to ignore the facts to feel better about wearing it?
I know I’ll probably anger a few people, but I personally don’t care if someone gets a bucket of paint on their coat. I would never do it myself, and it is a crime and that person should certainly be prosecuted for it according to our laws. It just doesn’t elicit much sympathy from me, I guess because I think fur coats are so ridiculous in the first place.
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I just hope people don’t throw red paint on me for wearing clothes and accessories that are possibly (or probably) made from workers in slave-like conditions and with wasteful materials and nasty chemicals and dyes, not to mention with mercenary sourcing and pricing tactics or offensive marketing, design pirating or other nefarious business practices. Because I think it can be argued that the moral, social and environmental degradation in the clothing industry in general far outranks the damage done by the fur industry in particular. So for me it’s one of those supremely complicated issues.
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I inherited a fur from my Mom, which itself was a remake of another fur coat. So I have a double used, super recycled short mink jacket. I only wish it was colder so I could wear it more.
What could possibly be wrong with that?
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When was the last time anybody actually threw paint on a fur-wearer?I think it happened a few times in the 1980s and the media blew it out of proportion.
I think more people would leave the “gray” area and be totally against fur if they could see for themselves how foxes and chinchillas are electrocuted on fur factory farms or how mink are gassed. The pelts can’t be damaged, so often very inhumane methods are used to kill the animals.
Fur factory farms deny animals many of their basic behavioral and physical needs. Factory farming, whether of pigs, chickens, mink or fox is unacceptably cruel, as well as damaging to the environment. Such artificial conditions cause animals to suffer from boredom, frustration, and stress, which often leads to abnormal behavior, including unnatural aggression and self mutilation. For more information on fur farms, read the European Commission, Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare
The Welfare of Animals Kept for Fur Production December 2001 report at
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/scah/out67_en.pdf
There are so many materials we can use as alternatives to fur that are both warm and stylish, and better for the environment.
If you inherited a fur coat, consider donating it back to animals through the Coats for Cubs program. Visit www.coatsforcubs.org
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Fur coats are a great way to look like an old lady, no matter how young you are. I have never seen anyone under 50 look less than laughable in a full-on fur coat. They’re just so goofy. Why don’t we all wear stovepipe hats while we’re at it.
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I’ll wear fur. There I said it. There is nothing as beautiful and luxurious as women’s furs.
And I have to say that for a younger look, one can easily pull off http://www.cowitfurs.com/furgallery.php?cat=Jackets">a fur jacket</a>.
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If you know where the fur is coming from, that is fine.
85% of today’s furs come from China. Many animals, including dogs and cats are skinned alive. It can take up to 40 cats to make 1 woman’s fur coat.
Is it any more ethical to skin a raccoon alive?
Just be 100% positive you know where your fur is coming from.
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I say wear it. My husband is a trapper. Fur harvesting has been grossly misportrayed by the animals rights movement. The traps he uses are humane - so humane he has returned yap-yap dogs to their grateful owners unharmed. Trapped animals only chew their legs off when they have been left in traps for days - by irresponsible trappers. You can’t condemn the vast majority of responsible trappers just because of one irresponsible one. That would be like letting no one drive because one person drinks and drives. My husband cares about the environment. If he did not trap nusiance coyotes, foxes and racoons to keep numbers regulated, there would be no deer, birds, rabbits or squirrels. He humanely dispatches his catches quickly and effectively. Fur is much better for the environment than synthetics. Not only is it totally renewable unlike synthetics made from petro products, it is no worse to manufacture than synthetics. It decomposes quickly and safely - synthetics take forever to decompose and release dioxins. So go natural and show the enviornment you care - wear your furs!
