If the name is “Rodeo,” it just might be spurs, tail-twisting,
calf-roping and tightly cinched bucking straps, not to mention blood
loss and bruising and that cart that they often use to drag animals
out of the ring when they are so severely injured that they have to
be shot.
Names are important, especially when times and attitudes change. That’s
why we’re asking Rodeo, California, whose name now conjures
up visions of a violent “sport” condemned by every animal
protection organization, to embrace the 21st century and change its
name to something with positive connotations, such as … “Unity.”
“Unity” makes everyone feel good. It evokes a sense of
fellowship, goodwill, and cooperation toward common goals, and it
honors the company that saved the town from economic ruin just over
100 years ago.
“Rodeo” was chosen in the late 19th century by the Union
Stock Yard Company because the town was built on an area where annual
roundups of cattle were held. The company’s hopes of turning
the area into the meat-canning capitol of the Pacific Coast went down
the tubes when it declared bankruptcy and closed. But the Union Oil
Company stepped in and saved Rodeo from economic ruin. To this day,
many Rodeo residents are employed in the energy sector at Phillips
66 San Francisco Area Refinery.
The word “Rodeo” describes an event that involves abusing
and frightening animals in the name of entertainment. Like slavery,
it is not a part of our cultural heritage to celebrate, rather it
is a part of the past that the city may wish to consider putting behind
it.
As a gesture of our appreciation on behalf of animals, PETA will ship
$20,000 worth of healthy veggie burgers to the local school district
in exchange for changing the city’s name. Veggie burgers are
animal- and people-friendly—they’re high in protein and
fiber but low in fat and contain zero cholesterol. A great way to
feed the kids!
