Sympathy For A Racehorse The editorial is from "The Japan Times" that Tim posted on his website yesterday. I wanted to share the comments that I wrote.
"The critics are right: People are sentimental. Most of us are also not very good at grasping abstractions or imaginatively comprehending misery experienced en masse, whether by human beings or by horses. So we zero in on stories and anecdotes about individuals. We yawn at statistics and charts but wake up for a photograph or a movie -- anything that personalizes. That doesn't necessarily denote hypocrisy, though. Chances are Barbaro's saga has done more to publicize the dark side of the racing industry and the vulnerability of thoroughbreds than a hundred earnest studies or editorials ever could."
And perhaps this publicity about the racing industry and this unthinkable tragedy will serve some good in the long run. Perhaps more attention may be given to discover methods which will prevent most of the horrible accidents that have been occurring, which have come to light more visibly since Barbaro's terrible injury
And perhaps most of the people who pray for Barbaro, and who read, avidly, about his progress are not "race" people. I am one of these. I know hardly anything about the sport not racing, yet I am fairly literate about other horse related competition.
I love horses. I ache for all horses who are injured in any of these athletic competitions. I yearn for increased safety measures in any of these activities. I am hopeful that something great will come out of this, not only in safety for horses, but for increasingly accessible and improved treatment that may become available for all horses who are injured.
"And yes, we anthropomorphize shamelessly, projecting our own fears, hopes and predilections onto animals because that's just what people do."
Is it that we project our "own fears, hopes and predilections" or is it that Barbaro becomes an icon of strength, courage and heart? In a word which is full of strife, for a moment we can join together with one purpose, with no judgment, in a nonpolitical way to just unconditionally love a magnificent animal? Why ARE we identifying with Barbaro and the folks who care for him? Why have thousands of well wishes, such large numbers of baskets of fruit and flowers been pouring into the New Bolton Center for Barbaro and the staff daily? I like to think that is due to those of us who have developed a "long distance" relationship with Barbaro, many of whom feel that this horse has become a part of themselves, somehow. And is it shameless to reach out to do something concrete to help in some small way to show support to the valiant folks who are giving this horse such marvelous care?
"Barbarophilia is certainly not logical. And it is sentimental, outrageously so. But here's a thought the anti-Barbaro crowd seems to have missed: Compassion isn't an either-or proposition. Interest in the fate of an injured horse in Pennsylvania doesn't preclude concern for terrified children in West Java or Baghdad or Tyre. Very likely, it's the same warmhearted people caring about the lot of them. Even if it wasn't, you can't legislate the flow of sympathy."
Why define this outpouring of concern "outrageous"? I am overwhelmed by this demonstration of care for an animal that most of us will never touch. But Barbaro has touched us deeply and the goodness of the human heart has been
ignited and this is certainly a good thing. And yes, it does not "preclude concern for the terrified children" of whom you speak. Perhaps in a more global sense our hearts will become much more open for our fellow human as we learn about loving unconditionally and being able to express that love openly and without shame.
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