The new leather shoe line from Ellen Degeneres isn’t garnering this comedian and talk show host any laughs from vegan fans. With the introduction of animal products to her clothing line, ED, the former animal rights supporter, has seemingly committed the ultimate act of betrayal and is now facing serious scrutiny from fans and the media.
To some, this situation may seem like no big deal. In fact, many consumers may be looking forward to seeing the new leather shoe line from Ellen Degeneres without understanding the impact of her decision. For those of you who already have a grasp on the devastating effects of buying leather in any manner, we feel this is the perfect opportunity to inform those who do not.
According to One Green Planet, “the global leather industry slaughters over one billion animals every year,” and cows are not the only victims on the roster. Pigs, goats, sheep, exotic animals, and even cats and dogs, who are used for their skin and fur in China, are unjustly slaughtered and used for their coats. And because leather sources are not labeled, it would be nearly impossible to know if your shoes are made from sheepskin or dog skin.
Also alarming is the unnecessary cruelty that these animals have to endure in order to become the products we purchase. PETA claims that most leather comes from developing countries where animal welfare laws are not upheld or do not exist.
“In the U.S., many of the millions of cows and other animals who are killed for their skin endure the horrors of factory farming – extreme crowding and deprivation, as well as castration, branding, tail-docking, and dehorning – all without painkillers,” says PETA. Additionally, many animals regularly have their throats cut and are even dismembered while still conscious.
If these sorts of atrocities happen in American factory farms, imagine the laws, or lack-there-of, in Brazil, where some of Ellen Degeneres’ leather shoes are made, according to the Bergdorf Goodman retail site. With a little digging, it’s evident that more than just animals are being harmed in the process of harvesting leather.
The human welfare of the factory farm and leather tanning employees in the United States, as well as underdeveloped countries, like the modern day slaves in places like Brazil, falls to the wayside and is oftentimes intentionally disregarded in the name of profit.
Not only are factory farm and tanning workers subject to a high rate of injury and illness, but the people living nearby, as well as the surrounding environment, are subject to extreme toxicity and pollution, too. Cancer is prevalent among workers and neighboring townspeople, and the devastating pollution from the waste run-off from factory farms and the chemical VOCs from the leather tanning process are enough to ultimately destroy adjacent land and life.
When someone like Ellen Degeneres has made the commitment to being an outspoken vegan, it’s usually something that is not taken lightly – especially considering the initial dedication and planning involved in such a life improving transition – which is why it comes as such a shock to fans how easy it is for Ellen to forget her personal standards and ethics in the name of profit, much like the factory farming and leather tanning industries.
Although it’s difficult to predict the future success of Ellen Degeneres’ apparel, shoe, and home goods line, ED, we hope that this incident, like so many other celebrity snafus, doesn’t simply get swept under the rug.
Accountability is difficult to come by these days, especially in Hollywood, so in an attempt to right her wrongs and hopefully halt the damage that’s being done by the new addition to her brand, we urge you, Ellen Degeneres, to put a stop to your leather shoe line and attempt to provide restitution for the damage done, or, at the very least, stop lying to the public by claiming to live a vegan lifestyle – it’s an injustice to people and animals everywhere.
Now that you’ve gotten the scoop on the scandal, we want to hear from you. What’s your take on the new leather shoe line from Ellen Degeneres? Do you believe she’s betraying fans and doing a disservice to the vegan lifestyle? What would you like to see Ellen do in order to rectify the situation? Let us know your thoughts on the EcoSalon Facebook page.
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Image of Calf from Shutterstock