Whaling is extremely emotional issue in Australia. Everyone is against it as if it was same as killing Norwegians. They are both white and there is not many of them.
No one gets too upset when Koreans eat dogs to get warmer or Afghani people get killed by robots on daily basis. There is plenty of dogs and Afgani's dont look white.
But whales are supposed to be intelligent mammals and it is murder to kill them. I am not sure if it is simply about Japan bashing and being emotional about cute large animals. It is funny that Australian media when reporting on Japan only talk about the wierd and wonderful and don't really describe Japanese as fellow citizens.
Petr, this is not what I expect from you, this artificial nativity. To blame 'the media' or 'the people' is as shallow and superficial as the views you claim not to understand. Your implication people are anti-whaling because whales are white is frankly stupid. As is your ridiculous conflation of dogs and Afghans. It's just not funny or appropriate in any context. I'm glad to see you blogging but you can do heaps better. Sure you can use imagination but use you integrity too. Sorry to be such a grumpy critic but this post deserves it. I look forward to further posts. All the best, Robin.
ReplyDeleteHmm... I couldn't quite discern the main point here - perhaps this article deserves some expansion? ... I wholeheartedly agree that there is a huge disparity in the treatment of different sentient beings and that is certainly not just, if that is the point you were trying to make. Surely, someone who feels emotionally about whales should also shed tears over Afghans, dogs, babies, dairy cows and any other mistreated sentient being.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, it does bug me as well that not only Japanese, but other Asians are portrayed in the media as being 'exotic', 'wonderful' and 'different'. Although I'd say we are also partially to blame for promoting that to bolster a tourist industry (Who wants to visit 'run-of-the-mill Japan' or 'Unexceptional Thailand'?). You would think, though, that with a somewhat more 'globalised' world, we should stop being so amazed at our neighbours, and visit them cos it's nice to visit, and not because we want to gawk at their 'strange' habits.
I don't think feeling emotionally about whales is silly - but I do think forgetting that others suffer, too, is very short-sighted, and on that point, I do agree with you.
~fon~
Robin
ReplyDeleteI understand that this was a bit unfair to conflate so many things. This was my first controversial issue I wanted to explore and see if anyone will comment. So thank you for your comments.
I chose this because this issue has become a bit of a taboo both home and outside. I am afraid that I will get shouted at if I express my doubts about either side's strong views.
I do think that it can be compared to the Climate Change debate which is so polarized and loaded with other issues that many people simply get disengaged and do nothing about it.
I think it is a good thing that the Japanese came out declaring they want to do commercial whaling. At least people an debate limits and not accusing of cheating under scientific banner.