Seaworld and My Awakening

Slavery is not something people think about every day, but it still exists. Not only does it exist amongst humans (think sexual trafficking a whole other horrifically sad topic, for another day perhaps) but also it exists in another way, the captivity of orcas and dolphins. I realize that many animals are in captivity that certainly don't belong there (i.e. elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, etc.) and truly I could go on forever on this topic, but I just want to share how this FORMER Seaworld lover saw the light.

As a kid, I LOVED Seaworld, I mean I really LOVED it and my mother took us all the time, it was such a special experience. I thought that I had a special connection to the killer whales and dolphins and I was never filled with such joy as watching Shamu leap out of the water and perform his tricks.

Back in the day, there was a part of the show where a child volunteer was brought up and that child had the special privilege of being in the show, feeding Shamu, dancing in circles while the whale mimicked his actions, and even getting to pet and hug this amazing creature. After watching the show multiple times, I decided that the next time we went to Seaworld, I would be the one who was chosen. I can be pretty determined and very stubborn (I'm told) and sure enough, the next time we went, I insisted that I would go and sit, 2 hours before the show and "save" our seats. This was my plan, I'd just be there early, alone, puppy dog eyes, and will it to happen. Guess what? It DID. I WAS chosen, they asked me and I couldn't contain my happiness. Finally, shy, yet determined little eight-year-old me was going to touch the magnificent Shamu. I was sure that the trainers would see our special connection and they'd beg me to come and work there.

Now let me change topic for just a second... Each time I type in the name "Shamu", the computer tries to autocorrect it to Shame. Which is beyond ironic.

Okay, so back to the majestic killer whale. Yes, I enjoyed every single moment, I wanted to cry I was so happy to be able to meet this amazing animal. I wanted to be a whale trainer when I grew up. I thought that must be the ultimate joy, playing with animals all day. It turned out to be a cloudy day, and the polaroid they took of the whale and I was blurry and I was a bit disappointed, but I knew that the experience would live on in my heart.

I was innocent and ignorant and I suppose in some sort of denial. I told someone about this experience and they said, "you must have known on some level that it was wrong". I guess I should have, but I also must have rationalized it (as so many continue to do, to this day).

As a teenager, I read Beyond the Dolphin Smile, by Ric O'Barry. It crushed me. I was devastated to hear about how these beautiful creatures did not actually want to perform tricks (that are NOT their natural behaviors) and be people's pets. I think that because I was a teenager and preoccupied with inane things like building Homecoming floats and Prom Queens and all that bullshit, that I chose not to think about it and continue in ignorance, though deep down, I felt the guilt and knew, I knew.

As an adult, I took my son to Seaworld, I took my students to Seaworld and rationalized my actions as exposing them to knew experiences and deemed it "educational". I was sent a video by one of my cousins, The Cove, and I knew it would be really sad, so I refused to watch it. I continued to feign ignorance. After all, if I could rationalize or ignore the facts, then I could continue to be selfish and amuse myself by visiting captive animals.

Then it happened. The documentary Blackfish came out. I heard about it, but didn't really know how/where to watch it and kind of avoided it. Then CNN decided to air it over and over and I just knew it was time to confront what I was feeling deep down, I could ignore it no longer. I watched Blackfish and that was it. I watched it several times and cried every time. I knew, it was so, so, so wrong and I was finally ready to accept it as fact. I cried for the whales, I cried for the end of my denial, I cried that I'd supported these atrocities committed against these beautiful, intelligent, social, familial, beings. I cried that I'd contributed to their enslavement, pain, and suffering. I cried that their families had been ripped apart and that I had a hand in it all, that little old me had contributed to the misery and pain of those I loved so much and I vowed never to support such heinous activities again, as long as I lived.

If you are still on the fence about this, I know the cure. I know what will finally open your eyes. By all means, PLEASE watch The Cove and Blackfish. Please watch Blue Planet and other wildlife documentaries. Read Behind the Dolphin Smile and works by other important activists. But the real cure, the true eye opener (if something you watch on a screen is just too removed or you find yourself rationalizing again), go see whales in the wild. I've seen the Southern Residents (orcas) in the San Juan Islands and I've seen Grays, Humpbacks and Fin whales in Baja (come visit me and I'll take you) and I'll never be the same. Their magnificence is incomprehensible. I'm a better human because of them. I'm more compassionate and appreciative because of them. My eyes and heart are open.

I could probably write about this topic forever (inspired my novel), and I probably will. But here, now, I just want to convince one more person NOT to support whales and dolphins in captivity. Please write me if you too have found yourself convinced that Seaworld (and others like them) is fine and they're just animals. I'll respectfully give you another perspective to think about. I will speak for the whales.