the cove

THE COVE: Extra Credit

 

 

The Cove was an incredible movie; it made me feel somehow responsible for the slaughter of thousands of dolphins, it also made me realize how important it is for us to end what’s happening in Taiji. Watching what a small group of people would do in order to prevent the massacre, was inspiring, it made me happy to know that there are people out there that would risk their lives for a higher purpose. Because it’s not so often these days that we hear about a person or a group of people who make a monumental difference in the world, who defend those who can’t defend themselves, and will risk anything in order to make the world a better place. The group of people in The Cove have not only opened the eyes of the world to the slaughter of dolphins in Taiji; but have made a difference to the children and people consuming the high mercury level meat.  It surprised me that people could be so cruel and inhumane, that people could kill a harmless, beautiful animal, and joke about it. The “fishermen” in the Cove were ruthless, killing twenty three thousand dolphins a year, and selling the remaining into captivity.  The way in which the men capture and slaughter the dolphins is horrifying. To see the whole cove covered in blood with a dying dolphin fighting for survival was painful, and seeing the reaction of the women and men that witnessed the carnage was upsetting. But to know that people are fighting to make a difference and to save these amazing creatures I feel relieved.  The burden Ric O’Barry carries with him is sad, and to see how responsible he feels for the captivity and slaughter is disheartening. However after the release of The Cove, it’s apparent that his efforts to undo his “wrongs” are paying off. In the summer of 2009, after screening’s in several festivals, councils in Australia have unanimously voted to suspend their “sister city” relationship with Taiji until the massacre ends. Ric O’Barry has focused international attention on Taiji and the annual dolphin drives off the coast of Japan, and for the first time Japanese media are covering the issue, and the people of Japan are learning about the killing. With the efforts of the Japanese people, and people world wide like Ric O’Barry, and Louie Psihoyos, this genocide can be stopped. What is occurring in Taiji is a crime against the ocean and a crime against humanity. In my lifetime alone 345,000 dolphins have died.

by chrise

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