Dolphins vs. Children

I’m sitting here in a van outside a village on a rainy day in Kunming writing to you. Our documentary subjects are currently in the village looking for a kid they can help this summer. Had a couple of thoughts I wanted to share…

The documentary that won the academy award last year was called ‘The Cove’. It was an amazing story about the dolphin massacre that happens in Japan. I absolutely loved it and I wanted to join the cause right away. Most people respond to injustice and sometimes it is easier to respond to the injustice brought upon animals than to the injustices brought on people. It’s too close to home and we simply don’t know what to do. If we save a dolphin they can go swim their own way and we generally don’t need to deal with them anymore. A person who needs rescuing, on the other hand, might have mental issues or handicaps or parents that have left them socially inept. It’s messy, painful, and there are probably going to be more tears than smiles. There will be no swimming off into the sunset at the end of the day. Also, we can see in other people our own faults and that is no fun.

They spent 2.5 million US dollars to make ‘The Cove’ and save dolphins from injustice. We are spending less than $20,000 to make a comparable documentary and spread the word about our own injustice to the children of the world. (in this case China)

Here’s the problem, most of us have never hurt a dolphin but all of us have probably hurt a person and that makes it all too close to home to process. These are just some thoughts I’m having as we continue our journey here. Would love to hear your comments on this…

2 Responses to “Dolphins vs. Children”

1. Chris says:

   July 22, 2010 at 2:58 pm

   Roger have you seen this?

   http://www.youtube.com/lifeinaday
2. Chris says:

   July 22, 2010 at 2:59 pm

   …it’s your competition for the academy award