Japan Dolphin Day: A Call for Altruism. Update #11

[Guest guest]

A Call for Altruism

 

I would like to make a suggestion:

 

If we really want to abolish the dolphin slaughter, it's best to draw attention

to the actual slaughter and not to ourselves and our various groups DURING the

October 8th demo.

 

Let's put the focus on the largest dolphin slaughter in the world and expose it

for what it really is. By doing so, we have a chance of abolishing this cruel

and inhumane practice once and for all. Our game plan must have an impact in

Tokyo. Bringing local attention to ourselves won't help the 20,000 dolphins that

have been issued a death sentence this year.

 

Promoting our various groups during this particular event won't change a thing

for the dolphins.The only thing that matters to them is outside pressure to stop

the killings. That's what Japan Dolphin Day is all about: Putting the focus

where it belongs -- on the annual dolphin slaughter. The key to our success is

showing up in HUGE numbers and presenting a united front. To be successful, we

must practice altruism on October 8th.

 

We can promote our various group in our magazines, newsletters and websites.

Nothing wrong with that.

 

Keep in mind, the Japanese embassies and consulates EXPECT the animal protection

community to protest the dolphin slaughter. They know that's what we do. They

don't, however, expect regular, concerned citizens to speak out against these

crimes against nature. The same can be said for the international media.

Therefore, I suggest we all leave our group logos and banners at home for this

event.

 

To the 20,000 victim dolphins, it really doesn't matter what flag you are

flying. They don't care what your T-shirt says or what your group's logo might

be. The only thing that counts to them is the message on your protest sign.

 

By the way, if your message is in Japanese, it may show up on the front page of

a Japanese newspaper. If it's in English, French, Spanish, German or Dutch, it

most likely won't be heard outside your country. Please remember, we are trying

to reach the Japanese decision makers, not the locals.

 

I'll be protesting in Paris, my wife Helene will be protesting in Miami. We

won't be flying the One Voice flag. We won't be wearing a One Voice T-shirt. We

will be blending in with all the other regular people who have gathered to call

for an end to the senseless dolphin massacre.

 

Domo arigato,

Ric

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Ric,

 

Have you had much success with seeking and obtaining Japanese

support for this event?

 

What I have found is that while many Japanese citizens disapprove of

inhumane treatment of animals, they do not feel comfortable speaking

out publicly about it, even if it's done peacefully/respectfully.

 

What have you learned on this topic, and can you provide any

tips/advice for those of us in Japan who are grasping for ways to do

something to get more local involvement?

 

Please look for a private message I'm sending with more questions. I

thought perhaps posting these particular questions might help others

here as well.

 

 

Thank you,

Kim

*I agree that group-promotion would distract from the focus of Japan

Dolphin Day. Excellent point.

 

aapn , " Richard O'Barry " <ricobarry@b...>

wrote:

>

>

> A Call for Altruism

>

> I would like to make a suggestion:

>

> If we really want to abolish the dolphin slaughter, it's best to

draw attention to the actual slaughter and not to ourselves and our

various groups DURING the October 8th demo.

>

> Let's put the focus on the largest dolphin slaughter in the world

and expose it for what it really is. By doing so, we have a chance

of abolishing this cruel and inhumane practice once and for all. Our

game plan must have an impact in Tokyo. Bringing local attention to

ourselves won't help the 20,000 dolphins that have been issued a

death sentence this year.

>

]