Defending Zoos

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I have read Life of Pi before and I wish not to ruin any of the later parts for anyone, but I remember the book being a unique journey involving an Indian kid named Pi and a Bengal tiger. However, I do not remember how extensive the introductory section of the novel in which Pi explains his religious beliefs and background of his family's zoo. But knowing what happens later in the novel, this makes sense and is absolutely necessary to understanding the character of Pi and his situation.
I can't help but marvel at Pi. His religious beliefs are eclectic, cosmopolitan, and unique to say the least. He confidently takes lessons from different religious teachers, even if he refuses Mr. Kumar's sound advice: "Reason is my prophet and it tells me that as a watch stops, so we die" (Martel 35). If you ask me, his religious beliefs are almost zoo-like. They encompass aspects of many religions, much like a zoo encompasses creatures of all different kinds.http://www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org/default/images/Main%20Entry-0041.jpg

There is one main difference in my character from when I first read this book to now. I worked at the Houston Zoo two summers ago, specifically the bird section. I fed, cleaned, cared for, and gave up my time for hundreds of birds for an entire summer. I understand how zoos (good ones at least) work and the attention that these animals receive. I can't really account for other sections of the zoos, but I can personally attest to how well the birds were taken care off and the amazing ex-situ conservation work the zoo was participating in.
Because of this experience, some of Pi's arguments about zoos are fascinating. In particular, his arguments about the flight response of animals are noteworthy. To be honest, I find it somewhat frustrating that he has such strong convictions about animal behavior when there is so much we don't know. Just like detractors of zoos may use, he brings up unreliable examples that must prove his arguments. For instance, he argues that the leopards that could easily have escaped their enclosures did not because "simply they had no reason to" (Martel 51). To me this is making an unfair conclusion about animal behavior. And by doing this, it makes his arguments a little weaker.
Regardless, it is interesting to read someone's positive arguments about zoos and animal welfare, even if the very length of Pi's arguments could possibly show a sign of possible doubt in his own argument.

Helping Others 3

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Human decency and compassion is a difficult subject to understand. What exactly compels people to help each other? Can it be scientifically broken down in terms of animal socialization and relationships, in that by helping one another human beings are truly only helping themselves? Or is there truly a more abstract, altruistic dimension to human compassion?

I often find myself helping people out of societal pressure. I don't want to look like I lack compassionate or that I don't care about people. But I have begun to notice that perhaps I am being somewhat numb to the suffering of others. When I was younger it used to pain me immensely to see homeless people under freeways begging for change. I found it difficult to look into their faces and acknowledge their pain. Now, I feel that whenever I am in this situation I completely ignore the people in visible distress right in front of me. I suppose I cannot find a reason for this distance I have created for myself. I do not know why my own personal issues have taken so much more of commanding role in my priorities.













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Ram Dass states that "By dispassionately acknowledging our personal needs, we lessen their grip on our actions" (How Can I Help? 193). Perhaps this is the right philosophy. To realize that my own needs are not the basis for all my happiness or the reason for my existence. Perhaps than I can begin to understand why people help each other, why they show compassion.

"Separateness is there...to be awakened out of. Service is a perfect vehicle for this awakening" (How Can I Help? 229). Some of the most amazing moments in my life have been in the service of others. Volunteering to help brighten the day of kids with cancer, helping at wildlife refuges, or driving around downtown Houston giving food to the homeless. I suppose now I see some of the points that Dass argues. Perhaps in order to escape my self-created shell and look beyond my own needs, I need to become aware of the needs of others.

Listening While Helping Others: My Confession

The Drag itself

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Walking on the drag can often be a high anxiety situation. I walk out of Which Wich on my way to my dorm when I encounter a group of scraggly dressed men with large pit bulls on makeshift leashes. Of course my preconceived notions and stereotypes begin to flare up. I identify them as "drag rats" or "lowlifes." And to be honest I wish they weren't there. I stare at the concrete as I pass them by hoping to avoid any eye contact, because unlike normal pedestrians I know these guys will pay attention to my presence. Sure enough, they ask for some spare change.

"NO," I defiantly mutter as I rush past them.


What's wrong with this image? To me there is nothing wrong with my response. The guys who hang out on the drag always ask me for money and I never have a reason to help them out. It may be wrong to stereotype and assume all they want is money, but the sad truth of the matter is that is WHY they are on the drag, to squeeze out a few dollars from unassuming college kids. Does it mean I hate these people? Absolutely not, I understand why they do what they do, but I have no obligation to help them or listen to what they have to say.

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One of Ram Dass's main arguments in his chapter on listening is that by listening more acutely we may be more attuned to the suffering of others. This is true, but how willing am I to be attuned to the suffering of others? In the past I used to help strangers often. I volunteered at the Humane Society and homeless shelters all over Houston. I did this regularly for about 5 years of my life before I discovered something about myself, something people may consider fairly reprehensible. I never really got much out of helping others.

I understand that helping is not about "getting" anything. But I also do not like to assume I am an outwardly good person. Dass argues that "To rest in awareness also means to stand free of the prejudices of mind that come from identifying with cherished attitudes and opinions (How Can I Help? 111)." I care about certain topics and public concerns, but I would never consider myself a charitable person. There is so much suffering in this world that I think I have become particularly numb to it. I find it incredibly admirable that certain people are so willing to help others, and society is indebted to these people. But I also think it is part of culture to callously disregard the less fortunate, whether we do it intentionally or not. As Dass argues "The condition of helplessness is one that we tend to push away, deny, or stigmatize as a society and as individuals (How Can I Help? 134)." I suppose that's how I feel and am aware of why I feel this way. The sad thing I suppose is I do little to change this

So for now, I'll pass by the drag residents, my ears closed to anything they have to say.

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How Can I help in Haiti?

The first time I heard about the earthquake in Haiti it was from an embarrassing source. A friend-of-a-friend on Facebook left her status as "Pray for Haiti." As I smugly assumed this person couldn't find Haiti on a map, I knew something big had just happened or else her mind would never be on Haiti. I quickly searched "Haiti" on Google to be flooded with horrifying and shocking headlines. "100,000 feared dead in deadly earthquake." "Port-Au-Prince leveled in disastrous earthquake." "

My immediate reaction was one of almost numbing shock. Of all of the places for a 7.0 earthquake to hit in the Western Hemisphere, Port-Au-Prince was probably one of the worst candidates. In the poorest highly populated area in the Americas, this disaster is of epic proportions. And since Haiti is relatively close to home, it is of great importance that we as a nation and people do everything we can to help these battered people.

Giving aid during a time of crisis is the least we, who have so much, can do. "The pain of others gives rise to a desire to help, to comfort," and this has never been truer than with the response to this most recent natural disaster (How Can I Hep? 56). It never seems to be a question of "if" we should help, but "how much." Often in our society to desire to help those less fortunate is brushed off with claims that the needy are just lazy or need to help themselves. But even the most disgruntled person could not overlook the pain and suffering going in Haiti as we speak. It is simply difficult to comprehend the magnitude of human agony being endured by such a large group of people.

In my daily life I would say I never truly keep the suffering of others on mind. I focus on my own stress and issues, and although Haiti is close geographically it is so very far removed from my own world. Like a particular anecdote in How Can I Help? states, "Still, I'd like to do more for others. What do I have to offer, and what would help the most? (How Can I Help? 11)."

The way I look at it, I can't control the economic standings of people in other parts of the world, let alone people in this country. Thus, I should never feel too guilty about my own lifestyle so long as it is not excessively luxurious or indulgent. But at the same time I can't ignore suffering. The disaster in Haiti was unavoidable and as a decent human being it is my priority to give something, anything, to help. Often times, people give aid and help for selfish reason: power, greed, and self esteem. But this should still not take away from the need for immediate action in situations like what is going on in Haiti. Aid is aid, and I know that somewhere in Haiti someone will appreciate the small amount of money (which is meaningless to me) I donated. Regardless of how this action makes me feel, if it is helping someone in need it can only be a good thing.