source: https://ab.co/2LQ8ysw (ABC)
A South Australian Aboriginal elder recently defended the killing of wombats by throwing rocks at them until they die (aka stoning) as a “cultural practice” used to obtain food…
…in the 21st century…
He was cited by the ABC as saying that:
This has been part of our culture and the way we’ve gone about it for thousands of years.
Hmm…
Stoning is an ancient tradition for adultery in Judaeo-Christian cultures, and still is in some Muslim majority countries…
…and how many of us in western democracies (whatever they are now) consider that to be a Good Thing?
On the flip side, killing animals without first stunning them is yet another tradition in some religious cultures…
…and in case you were wondering: no, I don’t think throwing rocks would count as a method of stunning.
Generally, when I hear “tradition”, I translate it in my head as “the way we’ve always done things around here” or simply, “just because we want to”.
Tradition can be harmless and even fun.
But, when your “tradition” is combined with careless treatment of sentient animals or the environment, other than making me angry, you should also imagine me sticking my fingers in my ears and uttering:
la la la la la la la la la la…
When you’re ready for a civilised conversation, let me know. Maybe then you can join the United Federation of Planets, er, People.
Until then, don’t bother me with your “it’s tradition” nonsense.
And please, please, please don’t expect me to respect your harmful tradition.
Postscript: Since I first wrote this, another aboriginal elder has spoken out to condemn the action and a 10 daily article claims that this “…has sparked a national debate on what’s culture and what’s cruelty.” While debate is always healthy, is there really anything much to debate here?
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