I got some feedback to our two recent stories on the Makah's successful whale hunt this month. All messages were positive, essentially affirming that the treaty must be honored and that the tribe had a right to do this.
Here in America we have many cultural beliefs (as I'm sure you do, whichever country your are reading this from). One is that our indigenous people are more "in-tune" with the planet and make efficient use of its resources. Another is that, at every possible turn, the European settlers have lied, cheated and abused the Native Americans. I'm not completely convinced that the modern-day descendants or their tribal ancestors were ever the masters of conservation that the myth claims, but I am sure that "whites" have a huge debt of shame on our books.
So, when the Makah tribe pointed to their treaty entitling them to hunt whales, the government was not able to object. Collectively, we have broken our promise to the "Indians" so many times, that when they wanted to restore this part of their heritage, we honored this request. Besides, "we" felt, "they" were going to make efficient use of the animal. It won't be a trophy, with its enormous head sticking out of a plaque on some elder's wall. And indeed this is true.
But now Japan has come forward and demanded equal treatment for their fishermen. If our "natives" can kill a whale or two, why can't they? The "official" reason for the ban on whaling was to prevent extinction of the whale. Now that whales are making a comeback, why can't they resume limited hunting (so long as it doesn't reverse the positive trend)?
Basically, this reveals our true purpose in protecting the whales. It never was just to prevent extinction. It was because many people believe that the whale is too close to us. As a majestic mammal with an enormous brain and complex form of communication, surely we are doing harm to a "relative" by allowing this slaughter.
I'm not sure I can agree with that in good conscience. You see, I like to eat meat. Open your mouth and look in the mirror. You'll see teeth that evolved to tear flesh. We were eating meat before we walked upright. Don't believe in evolution? That's OK, most religions teach that we are meant to eat meat of one sort or another. One of my favorite bumper-stickers says "If we aren't supposed to eat animals, how come they're made of meat?"
So, how can I eat meat everyday, much of it from mammals, and then complain that the Japanese want to do the same? As long as they aren't hunting the whales into extinction, what gives me (or you) the moral standing to object? Are whales unique because they have some special traits that puts them off-limits? Or are you 100% veegan? Can you claim you don't eat or use any animal-derived products? (this includes ALL medicine, and medical procedures. Because all modern medicine and training of physicians involves testing and destruction of animals.) If so, you're a tiny fraction of a percent of the population, but that in and of itself doesn't mean you're wrong (it also doesn't mean you're right!)
Where does this leave us? Do I have any simple answers? Duh, NO! It's a difficult balance. Americans will probably never repay the hideous damage our forefathers did to Native Americans. So we keep our word on one hand, and now have to live with some dead whales on the other. I think we'll get over it.
How can I sleep at night? Well, not only are our teeth designed for eating meat, our stomachs digest meat really well and that's also not an accident. In fact, I'm getting hungry right now... If you want to "evolve" to another level where humans don't hunger for flesh, that's OK. Just as long as you understand that evolution takes place over the course of MILLIONS of years. And all the "dolphin-safe" tuna in the world won't change that.
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