Stop Whataboutism!

I am sick and tired of 'whataboutism'! 

That's the response of far too many Americans these days. Here's the most recent example: The World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization founded by renown chef Jose Andres, provides hot meals to those around the world suffering from war and natural disasters. The organization sets up kitchens and works with local chefs and volunteers to produce millions of hot meals where they are most needed. 

WCK is currently feeding millions of people in Ukraine who are victims of Russia's war on that democratic nation. Russian bombs have targeted apartment building, electrical facilities, schools and hospitals, leaving countless Ukrainian without shelter, food, heat and water during a brutal winter. World Central Kitchen has been there, on the ground, providing hot meals to those in need. 

In response to some WCK ads on Facebook, too many people are responding with "What about Mississippi?" "What about Americans who need help?" Whataboutism at its finest. 

Here's a news flash for those too lazy or too ignorant to learn the facts: World Central Kitchen is working to provide meals to those impacted by hurricanes in Alabama and Mississippi. 

It isn't an either/or situation. This isn't a competition to see which group needs food the most. And no, Americans are not more deserving of hot meals than are Ukrainians. The last I heard, people in Alabama and Mississippi are not being bombed out of their homes. And there are a lot more resources (FEMA and the American Red Cross come to mind) to help people in the US than in Ukraine. Not too many organizations are eager to rush into war zones to feed people.

Here's another example: My daughter was born in Russia and spent the first 11 years of her life there. I adopted her from an orphanage in Siberia, and she has lived in the US since then. One of her clients (she was a hair stylist) commented that while it was nice that her mom (me) adopted her from Russia, why didn't I adopt a child from the US? Whataboutism yet again. 

Another example: An American family had adopted a little girl with Down syndrome from China. Someone, of course, had to ask why the family hadn't adopted an American child. Girls in general, and girls with Down syndrome in particular, have little chance of being adopted. So rather than celebrating the good thing done by this American family, the familiar refrain of "what about" again raised its ugly head. I commented that I adopted my daughter from Russia, but not worry. She is white with blonde hair and green eyes.

Here's my final example: Many years ago, I was asked to serve on a committee that reviewed NASA's use of non-human animals in research designed to make space travel safer for humans. My primary concern was the non-human primates (squirrel monkeys) use in research. White rats were the most common species used in experiments. A local woman contacted me to demand to know why I was speaking up for the rats. (We referred to her as the Rat Lady, as rats were her only concern). I explained that all the research animals were of concern to me, but my focus was on the monkeys (and a few cats). This was another case of whataboutism. At the time I worked for a large California humane society, so I was most concerned about what I consider higher animals.

So yes, I am tired of Americans' sense of superiority. I am tired of hearing "what about". There is so much need in this world, more than enough people needing help that there is no need for whataboutism.

If you want to support victims of tornadoes in the US, great! Make a donation to whatever cause moves you. There is no need to disparage others in need just because they don't happen to live in the US, or they don't look like you, or they speak a different language, or they practice a different religion. Americans are blessed with riches and opportunities most can only dream of. Our country is not at war with another country, although we are at war with ourselves. 

Stop focusing on our differences, and look at what we have in common. All of these people served by World Central Kitchen and other non-profit organizations are in need. 

Let's put an end to whataboutism.

The Soul Needs More Space Than The Body

The soul needs more space than the body. -- Dr. Axel Munthe

This quote, which I first heard while touring the home of the Swedish physician on the island of Capri, Italy, really struck me.

After I returned home, I made a point of learning more about this fascinating man, philanthropist, physician and animal advocate.  

Here is another memorable quote by Munthe: The wild, cruel beast is not behind the bars of the cage. He is in front of it.

Born in Sweden, this physician and psychiatrist studied medicine in both Sweden and France, ultimately spending most of his life (56 years) on the Italian island of Capri. A philanthropist, he often treated the poor without charge. and he risked his life on several occasions to offer medical assistance during World War I, and during natural disasters during the plague in Naples. Munthe also served as personal physician to the Swedish royal family.

An animal rights advocate, he purchased land to create a bird sanctuary near his home in Italy, argued for bans on painful traps, and kept pets as diverse as an owl and a baboon, as well as many kinds of dogs. 

Munthe is perhaps best known for his book The Story of San Michele, a book of memoirs. Originally written in English, the book has been translated into numerous languages.

The view from San Michele to the ruins of the home of Roman emperor Tiberius.

San Michele was the home he built in the town of Anacapri, on the ruins of a 10th century chapel that itself had been built on some of the ruins of the villa of Roman emperor Tiberius. The site sits atop a high cliff reached by 921 steps (known as the Phoenician steps, but most likely built by ancient Greek colonists) and affords sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea. 

Most of Munthe's writings are memoirs drawn from his real-life experiences. In addition to writing about animals, he wrote a lot about people and their idiosyncrasies, portraying the foibles of both the rich and the poor. Sadly, eye problems eventually left Munthe blind.

Here is one final Munthe thought:

What you keep for yourself, you lose. What you give away, you keep forever.

One Day

 One day, I was young.

I was in grad school. I was running every day. I had trouble keeping weight on, so I would often treat myself to a chocolate milk shake at a little place across the street from the library where I worked while attending school.

One day, my whole life lay ahead of me. My parents seemed old when they were in their late 40s. I was blissfully ignorant of politics.

I was married, happily, or so I believed. And then one day, I wasn’t.

Then I grew up.

One day I looked at a photograph of myself and was shocked at how I looked. My arms looked fat (they weren't), although I was still thin. 

One day I looked in the mirror and was amazed at the size of my backside. 

One day I noticed gray hairs at my temples. Eventually, my entire head was covered with gray hair. I decided not to color my hair, deciding instead to embrace the gray. Hair stylists and others complemented the gray, noting that it set off my blue eyes.

One day I noticed that my weight had been creeping up, despite daily walking or running.  Although unhappy about this development, I accepted it as part of the aging process. And I determined not to let my weight continue to rise.

One day, I realized that I needed bifocals. I got progressive lenses so I didn't feel old by wearing eyeglasses with an obvious line in the lenses.

One day, I realized that I simply no longer had the energy to run, something I had enjoyed daily for more than 30 years. I had run the San Francisco marathon, and I had placed in my age group in several 5k and 10k races. I tried to get back into running later, but again, I just didn't have the energy. So for the past 10 to 12 years, I have walked every day.

One day I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, and another day I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. And then I needed four surgeries to remove kidney stones.

One day I needed cataract surgery to eliminate the double vision I was experiencing. 

One day I tripped while in Kenya and broke my wrist. Surgery in another country wasn't part of what I had planned during my trip, but the surgeon did an excellent job of repairing the fracture.

One day my finger joints started to hurt -- osteoarthritis. I no longer have the dexterity or strength I once had in my fingers.

So my life has seen a lot of physical changes, none for the better. But several trips to eye eye specialist have made me realize how fortunate I really am. Unlike others I saw in the waiting room, I don't need a wheelchair, a walker or a cane. I don't require supplemental oxygen in a bottle I carry with me. 

I am still active. I exercise every day. I travel the world. My mind is still sharp. And I still live independently.

The bottom line is this: One day I was young and full of life. And then one day, I realized that I am old. I can't do the things I used to do with the same ease.

One day I might have to move into an assisted living facility. I hope not, but that decision likely will be out of my control.

What I can do is make the most of the time and abilities I have left. I advise you to do the same.

One day will be here before you know it.

Finding Happiness

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony” - Gandhi

I came across this profound quote recently online. Our world would be a much nicer place, and our lives would be far less stressful, if we could and would follow this dictum. How many times do we think one thing, yet do or say something contradictory? This inconsistency can cause discord in our brains and in our souls. It's as if we are fighting with ourselves. Happiness comes from alignment between our mind, our body and our soul.

I think this statement makes a lot of sense.

I will leave my readers to interpret this quote as they will.

Safari Soul Searching

I have gone on 10 safaris to southern Africa. Three of those safaris were photography safaris, although in reality I made all of them into photography safaris. 

But I don’t know that I will be doing any more.

My most recent photo safari, to Tanzania, raised some serious ethical issues in my mind. And frankly, I don’t know that I can ever be a part of what I witnessed again.

The first instance involved a safari guide driving a Land Cruiser, the vehicle of choice for African safaris, into the brush where a male lion was sleeping. Other vehicles were nearby, waiting to see whether or not the lion would get up and perhaps make himself visible. Nobody did anything to force the lion to get up...except for one guide 

That driver decided to drive into the brush, toward the lion, and force the animal to interrupt his sleep and get up to avoid the vehicle. I was so upset that I yelled at the driver. Safari practice is to speak, if at all, in low voices so as not to disturb the animals. But I was so upset that I yelled without thinking about it. That experience with the irresponsible guide rattled me for the rest of the day.

Another issue that bothered me was that there were so many vehicles (at least 25 in most cases) that any time a wild animal was spotted, it was very quickly surrounded. Some animals could handle this, while others were clearly distressed. We saw two coalitions of cheetahs one morning. A coalition is a group of male cheetahs or lions that work together as a group to hunt and socialize. Members of coalitions are typically male littermates  that work together to defend a territory against other males. They often stay together for a lifetime.

One of the coalitions, perhaps older animals, seemed unfazed by the presence of 25 to 30 vehicles. They went about their business seemingly unperturbed.

The other, younger coalition, was clearly stressed and panicking. They trotted away from the gathering vehicles and seemed to be wanting to hunt. As a large group of vehicles surrounded them, the cheetahs had little means of escape. By this point, everyone in my vehicle agreed to take a few shots and leave the area. None of us wanted to be part of the ongoing harassment of these wild animals. We had invested a great deal of money to purchase cameras and lenses that allowed us to photograph animals from a comfortable distance rather than relying on our cell phones to capture that 'award winning' image.

These experiences really soured me on going on safari again. Our guides were wonderful, doing everything in a respectful and ethical manner. But I began to question whether I can ever enjoy a safari again, and whether I can justify, and accept, being part of a business that treats wildlife so disrespectfully. 

I'm sure the offending guides -- all guides must be licensed by the Tanzanian government -- were hoping for bigger tips by giving their clients up-close views of the animals. I get that, but that doesn't give anyone the right to harass and stress wild animals in their homes.

I take pride in being a moral, ethical, upstanding person who cares deeply about protecting animals both domestic and wild. I likewise care deeply about the environment.

I know that whether I am sitting in a Land Cruiser on another photo safari or whether I boycott future safaris, the vehicles will continue to chase wildlife for the satisfaction and enjoyment of their clients. Tourism is the second largest contributor to the economy of Tanzania (agriculture is #1), so if I'm not taking part, the industry and those whose livelihoods depend on it won't suffer. I am just one person.

I also know that the income derived from tourism helps to protect these animals and their habitat, as well as providing much-needed jobs for those in local communities.

The crowding of the animals was so bad that my group really savored wildlife viewing on the rare occasions when we were the only or one of a few vehicles present.

So I have a very important decision to make. I love visiting Africa and photographing its wildlife. But I won't sacrifice my personal beliefs to do so. And there are many countries I still hope to visit and a limited travel budget.

I don't know what my decision will be. I do know it isn't one I will make without a great deal of soul searching.

Tearful Beauty

Did you ever see or experience something that quite literally brought tears to your eyes?

I have. The most recent occurrence was in the east African country of Tanzania. My fellow photographers and I were on a photo safari. We had stopped to watch a herd of about 12 elephants. Among the animals were some youngsters with their mothers.

As I stood in the open-top Land Cruiser (the vehicle of choice for safaris), watching this family of elephants grazing peacefully and walking silently through the grasslands, I felt tears well up in my eyes. 

Elephants have a remarkable ability to connect with many humans on a deep, non-verbal level. I am fortunate to be among the lucky folks who can feel a deep connection with these underappreciated animals. 

It's something beyond awe-inspiring to be just a few feet from one of these magnificent animals. A huge bull elephant, weighing four or five tons, stood facing us after walking deliberately toward us. My first thought was that he was challenging our vehicle, and I immediately recognized that he could flip us over with the tiniest effort. But he just stood there, watching us in silence. He didn't bother us, and we watched him respectfully.

Watching cow elephants with their offspring (female elephants remain with their herd their entire lives) was equally emotional. When an elephant calf is born, the entire family trumpets in excitement. The baby's safety is ensured as the whole family surrounds it with a forest of huge, gray legs if anything threatens the infant. Not just Mom, but sisters, aunts and cousins will defend the youngster.

I have written previously about my very personal encounter with an old bull elephant in Namibia. I still think about Mutara, as I call this old fellow, and wonder how he is doing. Has his leg healed and allowed him to walk without limping?

I likewise have felt tearful when in the presence of some of Mother Nature's creations, such as Yosemite National Park and Yellowstone National Park. 

This spectacular scenery is breathtaking. It is awe-inspiring. It is impossible to fully appreciate its grandeur. And it certainly cannot be adequately captured by a camera. This natural beauty must be felt to be fully appreciated.

Mother Nature's creations, whether animate or inanimate, fill me with wonder, yes, but also with a feeling of peace. Eyes filled with tears is simply my body's way of acknowledging the gift of great beauty and my connection with the natural world.