tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764224575243520295.post2017740860280146044..comments2023-10-08T05:39:47.622-04:00Comments on Bright Nepenthe: Playing the Culture Card, Live Markets and the Politics of FoodMarziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11095675159000283648noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764224575243520295.post-83770904043999518062010-06-10T23:05:42.154-04:002010-06-10T23:05:42.154-04:00Valerie, thanks for your thoughts. The issue of cu...Valerie, thanks for your thoughts. The issue of cultural practices vs. the welfare and humane care of animals and even our fellow humans is indeed the crux of it for me.<br /><br />While part of me doesn't wish to lose all sense of cultural and ethnic diversity, I realize that my pipe dream of retaining that diversity but having it evolve to comprise a greater sense of humane compassion for all living things is probably just that... a pipe dream.Mariellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09276286373160055302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764224575243520295.post-59679226222543285502010-06-10T14:19:19.622-04:002010-06-10T14:19:19.622-04:00Well said, Thelma Lee. The rights of someone else...Well said, Thelma Lee. The rights of someone else's culture end where mine begin in this country. It is ethically, morally, and legally wrong to imperil the wildlife and domestic animals in the US to perpetuate the live markets. The humane issues also weigh heavily with me. There are many cultural practices accepted in other parts of the world that are outlawed in the US (female genital mutation comes to mind). The treatment of animals in the live markets is inhumane and cruel. We don't like that here and we legislate against it. Moreover we try to raise our children to respect life in all its forms (at least I am trying). The people in the US therefore have a culture worth preserving as well. Our country is by no means the best with regards to humane treatment of animals but we are moving that way, and it gives me hope. I will respect the culture of others if my culture is respected as well. As Thelma says if we could be ethnically indiscriminate, life would be easier :)Valerie Fadoknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764224575243520295.post-26105194549463012102010-06-09T22:37:40.690-04:002010-06-09T22:37:40.690-04:00Serena, thanks so much for your thoughts. We reall...Serena, thanks so much for your thoughts. We really appreciate them. I'm curious as to what your parents might think, given the same issues? Are they in the same place philosophically as you are?Mariellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09276286373160055302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764224575243520295.post-32117292356257842112010-06-09T22:32:31.414-04:002010-06-09T22:32:31.414-04:00As a first generation Chinese-American and a veter...As a first generation Chinese-American and a veterinarian, I read Dr. Gross’ post with great interest. I can’t believe that anyone, regardless of culture or ethnicity, could deny that live market animals are in general housed in conditions that induce significant distress and pain. The cultural difference seems to arise in whether this is considered acceptable, or unacceptable. <br /><br />I do not believe that issues of culture and tradition should be allow to supercede the fact that as Americans, we belong to a society which places high value on the concept of humane treatment of animals. In my opinion, anyone choosing to live in this country must understand and accept this. It is also up to us and to our legislators to uphold this ideal. I admire Dr. Gross immensely for her dedication in fighting for this cause.Serenanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764224575243520295.post-8953302189909735952010-06-09T15:16:47.882-04:002010-06-09T15:16:47.882-04:00Jen, funny that you mention your hunting. I was ju...Jen, funny that you mention your hunting. I was just telling TL about that this morning.<br /><br />I guess the crux of this issue is that culture and tradition are relative <i>unchanging</i>. It is what makes them what they are.<br /><br />It does happen though. Seminoles and Miccosukees here in FL have forbidden their tribe rituals of hunting and killing panthers in recognition of the Endangered Species law. Of course, there was a federal decision against a Seminole tribe member back in the 80's, as mentioned in TL's post above.Mariellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09276286373160055302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764224575243520295.post-21453179491924103462010-06-09T14:30:38.747-04:002010-06-09T14:30:38.747-04:00Aren't the Chinese the same ones who would kil...Aren't the Chinese the same ones who would kill a rhinoceros for the supposed aphrodisiac value of its horn? An endangered species rhinoceros?<br /><br />Regardless, I cannot help but feel there is a point at which "culture and tradition" has to yield priority of place to the laws of the country. As well as to humanity and compassion.<br /><br />And the manner of death of any animal is important to me-killing an animal is not something I take lightly. I eat meat I hunt-and I practice daily to ensure that death at my hand is quick. <br /><br />If I purchase meat/fowl commercially I buy it locally from a free range facility and I inspect the facility to assure myself that humane death is provided.jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04294710640794526679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764224575243520295.post-85333386173838035352010-06-09T11:42:11.373-04:002010-06-09T11:42:11.373-04:00@Michael - excellent point but so difficult to put...@Michael - excellent point but so difficult to put into practice with some cultures who will cry foul, right?Mariellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09276286373160055302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764224575243520295.post-51471198006755366202010-06-09T11:06:09.282-04:002010-06-09T11:06:09.282-04:00Well, and there should be a way to accept culture ...Well, and there should be a way to accept culture without priviledging it above practical considerations. If "their main arguments were '5,000 years of Chinese tradition' and that turtle and frog meat was 'good for one's health'" then the next question should be, "Very well, but how do you propose to deal with the fact that 'the imported animals are competing with the native species of California by spread of disease, by competition for food and habitat, and by predation' at the same time?" In other words, if you want to keep that cultural practice, give us a better solution to the problems it is causing.<br /><br />That completely ignores the humane considerations, unfortunately; but this particular issue wasn't being argued on that basis in any case.Michael Mockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764224575243520295.post-4582349591023172922010-06-09T10:26:58.051-04:002010-06-09T10:26:58.051-04:00LOL @Michael. I'm inclined to agree with you.
...LOL @Michael. I'm inclined to agree with you.<br /><br />@Doug- welcome to the blog. i concur that Culture and Society should be reenvisioned.Mariellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09276286373160055302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764224575243520295.post-23269819960966400712010-06-09T10:22:47.911-04:002010-06-09T10:22:47.911-04:00"I for one cannot wait until the day when we ..."I for one cannot wait until the day when we are all ethnically indeterminate. Maybe then this madness will stop."<br /><br />Fond hope...Michael Mockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764224575243520295.post-21655146048285232732010-06-09T02:40:09.107-04:002010-06-09T02:40:09.107-04:00This is a GREAT article. I totally agree that the...This is a GREAT article. I totally agree that the use of cultural practices as an argument against animal rights is not reasonable and does not proceed when what is being discussed is life and all of its related issues. Life should always come first and there should not be any kind of sophistry against life. Cultural determinism and, even worse, reductionism are not smart ways to project a sustainable future for nature, and therefore for us. It is, otherwise, a dangerous plot to support people's viewpoints that, as you said, are antiquated, selfish and opportunistic in making culture plays the "hero". Culture and its oldest child, society, should be both very carefully examined since they were created by humankind… the same bunch of beings that have been killing those animals without a drop of compassion. Thank you, Dr. Gross!Dubhghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07981129907695688357noreply@blogger.com