Copperheads -- and I'm not talking about snakes

If you haven't read Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, go to your nearest library, bookstore, or ebook reader and read it. It is a powerful look at a part of the country that has been disrespected for too long and left to deal with the aftermath of uncaring companies and government. The story is told through the eyes of a young man who is orphaned as a child and has to navigate the foster system and beyond in an area known for poverty. Once you pick it up, you won't put it down. And it's not lollipops and roses, but oh so powerful.

Do it. Do it today.

Human hubris has devastating consequences

I'm currently reading Our Kindred Creatures by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy and confess that even though I've always had a dark view of human capacity for cruelty, lack of vision, and utter lack of brains, this book has rattled me to my core. Just getting past the first chapter was true hardship. Yet, I'm encouraging everyone to strap on and read this book. It's not just about animals and our relationship to them, it's also about our relationship to other humans and the very planet we live on. You can be the judge whether we are capable of change or not.

Though I knew that passenger pigeons were extinct by 1914 solely because humans made them so, I had no idea of the extent of the slaughter (five billion birds). It wasn't for survival at all. It was for sport. Just because. Bison would've met the same fate if some reasonable people hadn't stepped up and reined in the the the forces behind their mass killings. And when the reasons for killing millions of bison are explained, you'll truly wonder how people can live with themselves. During the same period, millions of wolves, bears, and other mammals were driven nearly to extinction before conservationists stepped in. And I won't go into the absolute cruelty of livestock like cattle, sheep, chickens, and pigs because that really hasn't changed.

What changes did occur were the result of the formation of SPCAs and their like. Though it was slow going and not perfect, Henry Bergh of New York modeled his ASPCA on the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in London. You might think he started out rescuing dogs. You'd be wrong there. It was horses and vivisection of animals for medical research. And when you find out why, it again makes you wonder how human beings can think they are supreme. 

The book gives a very clear and learned history of the forces of change in America, and that is encouraging, but it is far from over. It describes the rise of veterinary colleges and a more scientific approach to animal care. It talks about the very good steps toward laws concerning animal abuse and what actually constitutes abuse. Though it always takes decades to pass laws that seem a slam dunk, like banning steel-jaw leg-hold traps, the US persists in using them in all but six states (and they have exceptions). One hundred countries ban them outright. Why are we so behind? It wasn't until 2006 that California adopted a law which prohibits tying out a dog for more than three hours in a 24 hour period. EXCEPT -- and then they list the ways you can get away with that very thing. The majority of other states have no prohibitions for that at all even in searing heat or blizzards.

Of course, while the focus of the book is the US, worldwide, animal abuse is still prevalent and sickening. We need to focus on changing how we view our relationship with other creatures on the planet, and do it sooner rather than later. In fact, today would be good. 

After that discouraging news, here's a bit of a pick-me-up of two smiling faces:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Hate U Give

I'm gonna out myself a bit, and mention that as a retired librarian I always hated being asked for book recommendations on the job. Unless, of course, they were interested in mysteries, Sci-Fi/fantasy, or how-to books. FYI: Anything in the For Dummies series is good if you need help with a skill. YouTube is great, but sometimes the books have insights videos miss.

Every now and then, though, a book comes along that is truly remarkable. I've already posted about Lessons in Chemistry as being one such remarkable book. 

Today's selection is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. At first I admittedly was reluctant to read it. I expected it to be a bit on the pop-culture side and since it was made into a movie very quickly after it was published, I'm ashamed to say I was rather dismissive. Didn't see the movie either. Well, I was soooooo wrong.

Ms. Thomas's book is thoughtful, insightful, and made me take a hard look into any prejudices that may be lurking deep inside. As someone who grew up in multiple multi-cultural environments, I congratulated myself on being accepting of all humans on the planet. After spending time in the Southeastern portion of the U.S. and seeing firsthand the irrational racism that existed quite openly there, I thought I knew what all the problems were and how to combat them with courtesy, thoughtfulness, and an honest attempt at understanding. This book made me take a far deeper look.

I urge all to read the book and see if it opens up anything for you. 

 

Lessons in Chemistry

Bonnie Garmus wrote Lessons in Chemistry which was an Apple TV+ miniseries last year. As a frustrated feminist (and no, I'm not even remotely a chemist), this book hit so close to home in so many ways. Even if you watch the TV show, please also read the book. The Divine Ms. M brought it to my attention and I happily put it on hold through Libby. I was 1,632 on the list. You read that right -- over one thousand people were ahead of me for the the multiple copies of the e-book from the library. I was in for a long wait, but no worries, I have other books available to read in the meantime. 

Well, I got lucky. The Library has a jump the line feature which only gives you seven days instead of the normal 14 or 21. I took it. Finished the book in 3 days because I couldn't put it down. While it takes place in the 1950s and early 1960s, so much of what goes on is still prevalent today. And that is soooooo frustrating. The story has dark moments, infuriating scenarios, and uplifting, witty, and humorous passages. My favorite character, as anyone who knows me will understand, is the dog. Six-Thirty is his name and yes, you will have to read the book to find out why. My only criticism, and this could well be because I don't know children that well, is that the daughter of the main character had such an advanced vocabulary and education at age four. While I don't doubt the capabilities of genius children, it made me wonder a bit. That notwithstanding, the book is almost a PERFECT read.

READ THE BOOK!!!!!!