It’s not about us or them

With the endless parade of horrific violence and wanton destruction flashing across our TV screens 24 hour a day, there can be no doubt about where our attention is, and should be, directed.  Recent events have brought both the best and the worst of our fellow human beings into sharp focus.  Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine, while at the same time we can’t help but feel inspired by the generosity of people in neighboring countries like Poland, Hungary, Romania and others.  These are times that will test our resolve, as well as our humanity.

We as individuals at CCA stand with all those around the world prepared to do what we can to help, and to make whatever sacrifices will be required in order to support the extraordinary courage and valour on display in Ukraine.  There are, after all more important things than saving money at the pumps.

But I also want to take this opportunity to put to rest a peculiar notion that inevitably arises at times like these.  In its most general form, the sentiment goes something like “how can you care about animals at a time like this?”  A more specific version of the same thing is –  “dolphins aren’t important when people are suffering like they are now”.  Or dogs, or rhinos, or whichever species happens to be the aggrieved party in that instance.  Every variant on this theme is an attempt to have me re-evaluate my priorities, and to point out that mine are out of order. 

I want to state CCA’s position on this once and for all.  We are being presented with a false choice.  As the photo above proves, it’s not about us or them.  Looking out for their interests also best serves ours.   I speak for every one of us at CCA when I say this.

We reject the entire premise of such a choice.   Yes, at any given moment our resources, both in terms of time and money, are limited.  Each of us needs to operate within these laws of scarcity and to decide where to allocate what’s precious to us as we seek to make a better world.  And there can be no doubt that assistance to the people of Ukraine is of an exceedingly high priority at this moment.  

But don’t get taken in by the idea that when it comes to people and animals, we have to decide whether to look out for one or the other.  There is nothing in reality that backs up the existence of such a dichotomy.  We risk putting in place a fallacy that is not only dangerous to them, but equally to us.  Believing that we can ignore their trials and suffering while we focus on ourselves will not bring us one inch closer to a better world.  In fact, quite the opposite.

What is going to get us to where we need to be are ideas, and the courage we’ll need to persevere in seeing them fulfilled.  Compassion for every being who is capable of experiencing trauma and suffering.  Liberty for every individual capable of long range planning and making choices to determine the outcomes of their own lives. Basic fairness and equitable treatment for everyone.  Justice for all.  

Since the beginning of the Holocene, humanity has been moving towards something better.  Often haltingly, almost imperceptibly and sometimes clearly falling back a little, we’ve nevertheless managed to slowly ‘bend the arc’ in favour of justice and compassion for all.  But our progress isn’t inevitable.  We need to be vigilant against bad ideas which inescapably creep in to tempt us.  Our forward motion is entirely reliant on the principle that when we apply these values, these highest of all ethical principles, that we make no distinctions as to the recipient’s race, or nationality, or gender, or ethnicity.  Or even species.  Yes, species.  Drawing the line there is arbitrary and denies what others are capable of experiencing.  

We reject on its face the suggestion that it’s us or them.  Our future world, with the universal prosperity, harmony and benevolence we hope and expect it will contain, is not going to be built at the exclusion of others.  It will not stand on a foundation of others’ suffering.  In fact, trying to build it on such a basis would be impractical and unattainable.  

Think of it much in the same terms as our evolving view of humankind’s relationship to the natural world.  It’s never, truly, a question of choosing between economic strength or environmental health.  One cannot exist without the other.  False choices inevitably make for bad decisions.  We are all part of the web of life.  We all succeed or fail together.  We at CCA intend to do our part to ensure that it’s going to be the former.

For The Orca’s Voice, 

Phil, and the Canadian Cetacean Alliance team