Western vs Eastern

It is quite a well-known fact how in Eastern cultures were portrayed cruel and inhumane through the bias 'evidence' of how the Japanese hunted whales.. or how the Chinese harvest shark fins for their cultural delicacy dish, shark-fin soup..etc. There is a lot more than THAT to portray Eastern cultures and traditions. But as humans, as a society we are easily influenced to subjective and bias.

In a recent spreading email, to show how the Western cultures are being hypocrites and discriminate the Eastern cultures, it too, displayed that they partake in these "inhumane" cruel acts. In Denmark, as a cultural tradition, hundreds of Calderon dolphins are slaughtered.

** Warning, the images shown are quite disturbing. **

Sea stained red from blood

Yearly tradition in Feroe Island, in Denmark.

Participants of this traditional "ritual" are young teens as a celebratory sign of adulthood.

As you can see the hundreds of spectators in this celebration.

This is basically a portrayal of ignorance, just like how children pick a fight on what others did wrong when others pick out what oneself has done wrong. Sort of like a "get back at you" thing to make it "even". But really, who's keeping score? No one is.. but nature's wildlife takes the toll of our cultural disputes.

Although I do not agree in this type of tradition and celebration of adulthood, nor do I enjoy the fact of how ocean and sea life are affected when whales and sharks are hunted. As an individual who been raised through some traditional Chinese customs, I agree, that what our culture does to hunt sharks for only their fins, is wrong. It is, in fact, a waste of the entire animal.. as much as how delicious shark-fin soup tastes.. ;__;

If we look back to the roots of our cultural traditions, alterations of the ritualistic act can be made to help improve and maintain balance between human life and wildlife, like the native ancestors. If traditions are carried out in moderation, cultural clashes between Western and Eastern hypocrisy on wildlife cruelty and inhumane acts would possibly, slowly diminish.

Though this is quite an overly optimistic and naive perspective, but the anger and hatred directed between the cultures won't solve anything. It's the action of the current and next generation is what matters. One must realize the value of wildlife.