It is October 23, and many people around the world are gearing up for the annual Anti-Whaling Day that will be taking part on November 5th, 2011. Many different actions are taken on this day whether they be out of anger and frustration, sadness and empathy, or simply nothing. Those who sit on anger and frustration will most likely organize/ attend a protest wishing to let out all the fury at those causing pain. Those acting out of sadness and empathy will spend this day mourning and writing of those whose lives were wrongfully and soullessly taken from their home. Dismally, many more will do nothing as they don’t have the slightest hint in their mind that this demon-like and condemned practice is happening right in front of them.
Each person can own their feelings, and feel them as deeply as they wish. Though how they put these feelings of in-contentment to action, is where many go wrong. At first glance, this day would appear to be a day in which you want to get out and protest, putting in your effort to stop the tragedy that is commercial whaling. At a first glance, it might appear as a sad day. At first glance to the clueless, it means nothing. Give the idea a more thorough thought and ask yourself, ‘What would be most effective?’, and your mind should come to a different conclusion… While protesting is a good way to vent your feelings, it is not the most effective. Though mourning will let the tears flow and let the sorrow show, it too is not most effective. The answer though lies withing the third group of people; those who are clueless.
To put it most comprehensible, the clueless are the useless, and we need person possible to be use-full in this war and crisis. On this day, Anti-Whaling Day 2011, the path to being most effective can be put into one word.. a word in which the significance is greatly demeaned… share. Knowledge is power, and power in numbers is the key to success. On this day, do not protest, do not weep… but, educate others on the horrible deeds taking place yearly in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary (another word that is demeaned, but that is for another time). Protest and havoc make differences, but this is a special day. A day calling for more than annoying and putting the pressure on embassies until they break. Mourning and weeping frees the soul of unwanted sadness, but this is a special day. A day calling for more than tears.. a day calling for the whales to be freed along with your soul. For this is a day the world will wake up and become unblinded by corporations.
Hence me forwardly naming it.. the Wake Up Call. A time where all activists basically scream out “Wake Up World! Look Around You! Save These Gentle Giants!”
On this day, share your insight with friends, share your insight with family, share it with your neighbors, heck, share it with the local bag-boy at the mini-mart! Spread your spirit and passion far and wide, long and high. It is time for the world to open their eyes and notice that this Earth is not what it used to be, or what it should be. It is our life source, and we are dimming the light of hope in saving it. It is time for youth to start taking action full of passion… Time for adults to help LEAD the youth in this time of war for the Earth and a time of sadness for its losses. A time to realize we do not rule the planet, but that we are guests who need to abide by the rules.
On November 5th, 2011 share your smarts. Educate others and bring them with us to the fight. Recruit others to join Neptune’s Navy in the fight to save the Whales…. then maybe you can protest.
Austin Lynch
Ocean Advocates United 