The intentional enslavement and subjugation of an entire people, the destruction of millions and millions of families and the imperial barbarity with which the entire social fabric of the continent of Africa was torn apart, does in no way equate with the seizure of elephants from game preserves for placement in zoos abroad. Millions of our own countrymen and women died in a bloody civil war to end the real African Slave Trade. I hope you will be able to step back and gain the perspective that history has seemed to have taught most Americans. Slavery is still a very real experience to many African-Americans in this nation. As you can understand, Americans in general, and African-Americans in particular, live with the lasting effects of this tragedy every day.
Slavery is the darkest chapter in American history.
I offer my comments in the hope that you will understand my position, as well as the opinion that many other people have expressed to me. PETA s work is important, and should not be sabotaged by a misguided analogy which could be rectified with a minimum of fuss and controversy. I implore you to remove this reference immediately. I wish you continued luck in your endeavors, and hope you reconsider your current position.