Birds Flying High? Upfront Magazine

Today I read the article "Birds Flying High?" in the most recent issue of Upfront magazine. This article talks about the latest sports scandal revolving around the "sport" of competitive pigeon racing.  In this sport, pigeons are released hundreds of miles from their homes and electronically tracked to observe how fast they are able to make it home.  This sport has caused much controversy in the last month, as it involves gambling and even some doping.  Overall, I find the entire thing disgusting, and I am amazed that almost nothing has been done to stop it.  For one, it is a clear form of animal abuse, and two, by involving animals in our idea of "recreation," we are bringing out the worst in ourselves.

Pigeon racing, in my shared opinion, is a clear and basic example of animal abuse. In fact, it is the epitome of animal abuse.  The article states "...more than 60% of the birds get lost or die because of bad weather, electrical lines, predators, or exhaustion; and those deemed too slow are often killed." This fact merely showcases the extent to which humans are morally able to go, how, somewhat disgustingly, we are able to push other living creatures' health and lives aside just for a good show.  A good laugh. Apparent fun. Another detail in the article read "One pigeon owner told PETA's investigators that the first thing pigeon racers need to know when starting out in the sport is 'how to kill pigeons.' "


On top of this, Pigeon racing brings out the worst in humans. The article indicates, " In October, the world of pigeon racing was rocked when six birds in Belgium tested postive for banned-performing enhancing drugs ( five for a human painkiller, one for cocaine)." Human baseball players, track runners, swimmers, and bicyclers may inject steroids and other performance- enhancing drugs into their bloodstreams, and this is because they have made the decision to do so. It is an entirely different story when bird holders dope helpless animals just to win. "Pigeon racing has recently become a gambling jackpot, with 15 million in gambling at stake each year in the US." People are in no way gambling with money, they are gambling with the lives of hundreds of pigeons, hundreds of living animals.

But recently, there has been attempts to change it. PETA has recently issued a investigation into the nooks and crannies of this horrific sport, and I guarantee there is much to be exposed.  Hopefully, with these shocking facts out in the open, the public will begin to take action and possibly even impeach it from our society.

The Sneetches, by Dr. Seuss

“The grass is always greener on the other side” is one thought that comes to mind after reading the book The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss. This book is a simple yet a perfect example of the complicated issue of discrimination that so many people face today. In our society, people are judged very often based on physical attributes, race, and religion.  In my opinion, this judgement is unkind, untruthful, and most definitely unnecessary. People should not be judged on the basis of unimportant features that in no way make up who they are.

In the children's book, there are two groups of so-called "Sneetches." There are "Star-bellied Sneetches, the best Sneetches on beaches,"and "Plain-bellied Sneetches, left out cold, in the dark of the beaches." The Star-bellied Sneetches are supposedly the "better" Sneetches, but what really, truly makes them that special?  Does a star on your belly determine everything? What about a red dot in the middle of your forehead? Or a six-pointed star hanging from your neck?

Along with his family, Doctor Seuss was a German immigrant.  This makes me think that he interpreted this book to be about discrimination based on religion, as the jews were when the Nazis invaded Europe. He even used stars to symbolize the difference between the greater and the lesser.  In Europe, jews were forced to wear yellow stars on their clothing to signify that they were jewish, and they should be treated accordingly.  Being a jew myself, it is particularly difficult to look back at that time period and learn about the basis of which people were judged and treated.  But doing so has definitely helped me, and maybe even parts of the world, find closure, move on, and help make a better future.

But lets be honest.  People are judged not only by their physical attributes, their race, and their religion.  Everyday, people are judged based on class, gender, smarts, political views, creed, personality, appearance, skin color, ethnicity, language, schooling, residence, and so on.  How can we fix this? Dr. Seuss' answer, along with mine, is cooperation:

"The day they decided that Sneetches are Sneetches

And no kind of Sneetch is the best on the beaches

That day, all the Sneetches forgot about stars

And whether they had one, or not, upon thars."

In order to attain this level of equality, the Sneetches had to cooperate with eachother by accepting eachother's differences.  Now, all Sneetches were Sneetches, the best Sneetches on beaches.

Ten Thousand Saints, By Eleanor Henderson

Ten Thousand Saints, by Eleanor Henderson, is a truly moving and inspiring book.  It tells the story of Jude, a teenage boy, trying to find himself amidst a whirlwind of drugs, family issues, pregnancies, and addiction.  He goes from chaotically searching dangerous streets for money to satisfy his addiction, to taking control and becoming "straight edge;" clean, vegan, natural, and focused. Both of these lifestyles lead his personality in wild and unpredictable directions and decisions.  I decided to explore the quirks, advantages, and disadvantages of each.

Jude as a clean, straight edge person seems altogether more focused and driven to achieve his goal; creating and leading a successful band, preaching straight edge values to audiences all across America.  While managing this task, he is able to reconnect with his dysfunctional, drug loving family, and attain closure over his best friend Teddy's death. However, I believe that at my point in the book, straight edge is becoming a bit of an obsession itself.  This makes sense, as Jude seems to needs control in his life after all he's been through.  Straight edge is a time-consuming lifestyle that requires all of Jude's energy and focus, leaving him little time to think about Teddy.  Sometimes, Jude can take it overboard by beating up and threatening druggies on the street, and almost killing a high school senior, Tory Ventura.  At times like these, I want to jump into the story and remind Jude that the straight edge lifestyle is about peace and finding happiness not from substance, not about violence and shoving your ideas in others' faces.

On the other side of the equation is Jude at the beginning of the book: a lonely, wandering boy trying to find his true self among drugs and alcohol, with his best friend at his side. Obviously, drugs were an influence in Jude's life, and I think were a huge factor in his sudden change of heart and way of life.  On drugs, Jude could not think clearly, and often made bad decisions, like huffing the freon that took Teddy's life.  Drugs ruined Jude's chances of a good education, brought his family down, and caused Jude to steal money.  However, Jude on drugs seems to be more kind and warm, and less severe and harsh.  Prudence, his sister states " I liked you when you were on drugs.  You were gentler, sweeter." Overall, being on drugs had many hill-valley like effects on Jude's personality, the people around him, and his world.

In conclusion, Ten Thousand Saints, by Eleanor Henderson is an unforgettable book that teaches many lifelong lessons, one of which I am finally able to absorb. I believe that while Jude was sweeter on drugs, and was more severe straight edge, straight edge is clearly the lifestyle necessary for his personality.  It caused him to be aware of the people around him, and sparked some great ideas.  As the Green Mountain Boys said "Clean is a dream."