CANADA’S SHAME?

Creating awareness of a negative issue that is happening is a must in order to reach a positive outcome but what if that ‘negative’ issue is shrouded in lies for political gains?  Canada’s government is currently involved in two issues that stir controversy and have no benefit to most Canadians but much benefit for members of parliament or the lobbyists acting on behalf of big corporation:  The Alberta tar sands and the annual seal hunt.

Today, I would like to write about the annual seal hunt and ask the question – Is it really a necessity?  Many argue (especially Canada’s indigenous people) that the seal hunt is essential for the survival of some native communities as they depend on the seals for food and their pelts to protect them from the elements.  I mean no disrespect to these communities but is there no other means for food and clothing in these remote locations?  Our government isn’t too inclined to assist these communities to ensure they have access to proper food, clothing and shelter but rather allow the seal hunt to continue in order to secure votes in these communities.

Here is a timeline since the seal hunt began – please note, this information was supplied via IFAW (International Fund For Animal Welfare) in a ‘mock’ campaign to create awareness about the seal hunt.

 

***for more about this ‘mock’ campaign, please visit the following link*** 

http://hypenotic.com/work/international-fund-for-animal-welfare/

Recently – Ellen Degeneres spoke out against the seal hunt and called it an inhumane practice.  This caused a small backlash against Ellen as many supporters (mostly by the Inuit) started a ‘selfies’ campaign urging others in the Inuit community to take ‘selfies’ with their seal pelts to send to Ellen.  An Inuk seamstress Sandi Vincent challenged Ellen’s claim regarding that the seal hunt is “inhumane”.  (Clubbing seals to a bloody death doesn’t seem to be an inhumane practice).  I understand that people can be appreciative, grateful and respectful in giving thanks to how they have obtained their food but, in my opinion, there is nothing humane in the slaughter of thousands of helpless seals.

Most countries have banned seal pelts/products – this annual slaughter is a dying tradition.  If these seals are a ‘staple’ food for the Inuit community, is it not possible to find an alternative method of obtaining the seals rather than bludgeoning them to their deaths? 

We have achieved so much with modern technology – man has invented the car, boat and airplane, we have had men, women and animals in space.  How is it so difficult to find a solution that will appease those in Canada who rely on the seals for food without such a violent end for those seals?

Together, we can make the world a more positive one! 

“I JUST FELT THAT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO”

A young man in Roanoke, Virginia was a victim of a hate crime and had his car vandalized with the words ‘fag’ and ‘die’ scratched on the side of the car – it was also found with a window smashed out on a separate occasion.  A young owner of a body shop (Quality Auto Paint & Body) heard about the situation and offered to fix the car.  The victim – Jordan Addison and the mechanic shop owner – Richard Henegar recently appeared on The Ellen Degeneres Show to explain their story.  Ellen asked the mechanic what compelled him to act out of such kindness and his response was as follows:  “I just felt that it was the right thing to do”…..watch the clip:

On a different note…..Jón Gnarr- mayor of Rykjavik, Iceland recently wrote to the mayor of Moscow – Sergey Sobyanin asking him to reconsider the ban of Gay Pride marches.  The letter indicated that festival has had a positive impact on the city’s image and on the attitude of the public towards the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual) community and is now one of the city’s biggest outdoor festivals.

“The festival has given the citizens of Reykjavík a change of heart and has led to a more progressive society – not only for LGBT people (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, trans-sexual), but for all Icelanders,” Jón explains.

Here is the link to the article:

http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/Reykjav%C3%ADk_Mayor_Appeals_to_Moscow_over_Gay_Pride_Ban_0_393423.news.aspx

It certainly says a lot when I am still surprised of the great attitudes and actions from our straight allies and friends when showing their support of the LGBT community.  I only say this because I have always seen the darker side of society when it came to the acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gendered community.  I am so grateful to live in a country where this type of hate and discrimination is not as visible as it is in other countries.  After all – we are all the same!

Together, we can make the world a more positive one.