Star Street Teamers

Even though we had to prod Rebecca to open up about all her efforts to help animals, we know that Rebecca’s one heck of a peta2 Street Teamer. Being humble won’t fool us. Whether we need a letter to the editor published, advice for newbies or help with a technical question on the message boards, or a new buddy icon design, we know that we can always count on Rebecca to come to our rescue. Rebecca’s this month’s “Star Street Teamer” because we wouldn’t know what to do without her.

Name: Rebecca Jean Palmer
Age: 20
Hometown: Cynthiana, Kentucky

What made you decide to become a vegetarian/vegan?

I lived beside a small cattle farm most of my life, so eating meat was like eating one of my neighbors. Creepy, isn’t it? But the thing that really pressed me to go vegetarian was the fact that I was 17 years old, 5’7”, and 267 pounds. That’s morbidly obese. I was absolutely miserable, being a prisoner in my own body and having constant stomach cramps. Turns out that those stomach cramps were a result of my gallbladder dying, which is one of the many effects of obesity. After a bit more than three years of vegetarianism, I’ve lost 80 pounds. I still have a little way to go, and I’m confident that I’ll get there soon. I’m already quite proud of my progress as it is.

What was the turning point that made you decide to devote your life to animal rights?

Just browsing around the many PETA sites, I was appalled to learn about the cruelty involved with the meat industry, its effects on the environment, and the damage it does to our minds. We’re constantly being lied to, you know. So many lies will cause permanent damage to the psyche—trust issues that breed depression or anger, anger that breeds violence, violence that breeds mass destruction. And that’s just the psychological damage. The physical damage is even worse. Animals being pumped full of antibiotics, brought to slaughter, and slapped on our plates. What is this doing to our immune systems? And how about all those pesticides that are used in grain fields for animal consumption? Some of these chemicals are extremely harmful in even the lowest doses. I read in Diet for a New America that they’ve used parts of Agent Orange as pesticides! It makes me wonder if meat consumption is one of the primary reasons for the mental-health crisis we’re in right now ... and thinking of all of the chemicals that we’re consuming by eating meat, I wouldn’t doubt it.

How has your life changed since you became an activist for animals?

Since I started to speak up for animals, I’ve realized that if you want to stop the cycle of violence and sorrow, you have to get to the root of the problem. You can’t respect yourself, or anyone else, unless you start to show compassion for even the smallest of all creatures.

Is your family supportive of your animal rights beliefs, vegetarianism, etc.?

I first tried cutting out red meat when I was 11, trying to work my way to vegetarianism, but they were terribly unsupportive at the time. So I just gave into them, not knowing how to stand up for myself. I finally put my foot down when I was 17, and while they were still skeptical, they were supportive of my choice to go lacto-ovo. For my 20th birthday, I went the extra mile, went vegan, and got involved in animal rights activism. They have been extremely supportive of my choice ... and my cooking.

Tell us about your favorite PETA campaign.

They’re all fab and extremely important. I try to do what I can for everything that pops up, but I’ve been most active in the Iams Campaign. I’m constantly stickering and leaving leaflets on bags of pet food.

What is your favorite PETA leaflet, and what is your favorite way to use it?

They’re all great! My favorite way to use any leaflet or booklet is to leave them on magazine racks at doctors’ offices or Laundromats, stick them in anything that I mail out, or just conveniently ‘lose’ them at other people’s houses. I’d say my favorite piece of literature is the “Question Authority” booklet, though. It’s so neato that you can send it across cyberspace now.

What is your favorite animal rights action, and when was the last time you did that action?

My favorite thing to do is write letters. I’m always scouring the boards, action alert page, other animal rights communities online, and the PETA Writers’ Network. I actually wrote a letter to President Bush just recently concerning a tax bill that would bring more money into the greyhound racing business.

What are some things you’ve done that seem minor to you but would be a big deal to the average person?

I saw a small kitten in the middle of a busy road once, as I was watching from a nearby parking lot. Cars were just whizzing by, not paying any mind. I jumped out of the car, ran out into traffic, and got the little bugger out of harm’s way. People thought I was insane. Maybe I was. I could’ve gotten hit, but that kitten could’ve been hit, too. How could I live with myself if that kitten was harmed, and I did nothing to try and stop it?

Have you had the opportunity to see the positive results of your actions?

I consider just having people think twice about issues to be a great success. With the letters that I’ve had published in the local newspaper, I’ve heard quite a lot of people say, “You know, I’ve just never thought about it that way before.” It’s a good first step. When people think, they begin to feel the consequences of their actions. I’ve talked to a few people about vegetarianism, and I’ve had two who have said that they would go vegetarian after hearing what I had to say.

You have created a large number of icons and avatars for peta2.com. Have you received much feedback from people who’ve seen and used them?

I use the anti-dissection icon that I made as my AIM buddy icon, and I have gotten quite a lot of positive feedback on it. People are especially impressed once they learn that I built it from scratch, pixel by pixel. I’ve had a few people ask if they could use my icons. I say, “Yes, of course!” Anything to get the message out there.

What is your personal message to the more than 40,000 peta2 Street Teamers?

Every little thing counts. I mean EVERY little thing. Never underestimate the power of letters, stickers, and sly literature drop-offs at random places. Always take the chance to speak up for animals, where ever that may be. Never feel like you aren’t doing any good. You are making a difference! Your words have power ... more power than you could ever imagine. Do everything that you can do, and you’ll have the reward of seeing great change.