Ms. Biedermen’s class had won the last raffle for Halloween. This made me determined to win the turkey raffle. It had just been announced and the prize was clearly strange, a turkey. This had everyone confused, so I as class journalist ( Sasha is my partner )started a survey/interview. My boss (Ms.Zacconi ) had said to find opinion. Well guess what, I did.
Stella Brown from the class that one the last raffle says its ok to have a turkey for our school’s thanksgiving raffle. But when I told her how turkeys are treated and bred, the expression on her face was beyond imagining.
“Well…” she said. She really thought about it for a while. “I think its okay but only because it’s traditional. We are carrying that tradition and that’s fine with me.” During the interview Stella also mentioned that having turkey on thanksgiving is very special to her and her family and that the tradition.
Not everyone thinks the Turkey raffle is a good idea. Kaya of 5-316 thinks that the treatment of Turkeys is inhumane and cruel. “It’s cruel to kill for pleasure of humans” Kaya says “ Imagine a killing a turkey killing and eating a human for Thanksgiving.” Despite her feelings on the rights of Turkeys Kaya does not refer to herself as Vegetarian, Vegan, Raw Vegan, or Fruitarian.
Jackson, another 5-316 student spoke out against Turkey living conditions.“I’d raise them free range and kill them when they’re old.” Jackson says. “Cows are raised that way so it’s not like it’s impossible.”
We’re proud to say that not only is PS58 carrying the meat tradition, but there are also baskets being raffled of as prizes. Some baskets include toys, cookery, and large Christmas decorations.
It is true that Turkeys are housed in terrible shacks and abused but many think that until the movement grows strong enough the horrors will carry on. Though it is only school event the Turkey Raffle will help decide just that.
