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Why activists are campaigning against milk


PETA claims cow’s milk is a symbol of white supremacy.

The animal rights group tweeted on Friday that cow’s milk “has long” been the symbol used by white supremacists and it’s “one more reason to ditch dairy”.

In 2017, PETA wrote cow’s milk is the “perfect drink” of choice for all supremacists, even unwitting ones.

“With so many different types of cruelty-free, delicious milks on the market, opposing supremacists has never been easier,” PETA wrote.

The group also compared cows to people – and how drinking milk is similar to trying to control someone, referencing rape.

An article published in the New York Times earlier this week detailed how scientists in the US are spotting “distortions” of their own research in far-right political internet forums including one about lactose tolerance.

Some referenced perceived “white superiority” and referred to human genetics.

University of Chicago evolutionary biologist John Novembre said white nationalists were seen chugging milk at a 2017 rally, drawing attention to a genetic ability to tolerate lactose with the belief it’s mutually exclusive to white people.

PETA claims cow’s milk is racist. Source: Getty Images (File pic)
PETA claims cow’s milk is racist. Source: Getty Images (File pic)

Mr Novembre also referenced a post on forum 4Chan with a map from a scientific journal on the lactase gene’s history along with a racist comment.

“If you can’t drink milk you have to go back,” the picture is captioned.

However, the poster failed to note the map shows people from Eastern Africa along and Saudi Arabia have a high tolerance to lactose.

The Times references an article, which claims the first arrival of cattle herders in Europe 5000 years ago left the lactose tolerance gene turned on. It had previously off after childhood.

While this has been referenced by white supremacists, the article also states similar evolution of the gene also occurred in East Africa with cattle breeders.