"Elephants Among Us" - Review of book about 2 performing elephants

 

When I knew I would be writing a review of this book for the People for Animal Rights Newsletter, I saw it as an opportunity to learn more about elephants and how they are affected by being kept in captivity. I was unprepared for the feelings of awe for these majestic creatures and the feelings of horror about the way that they are treated. Elephants are unique, grand and intelligent animals. They have powerful memories and experience the highs and lows of emotion. Their very nature, trainability and human curiosity have made them victims of exploitation and cruelty for human profit. I think everyone should read this book to be educated and maybe even be motivated to work on behalf of wild animals in captivity.

 

Elephants Among Us – Two Performing Elephants in 20^th Century America by M. Jaynes published by Earthbooks in 2013.

Elephants Among Us is a well-written and heart-breaking story about the lives and cruel and senseless deaths of Stoney and Mary - two performing elephants. The book begins with Stoney. He was born in captivity in 1973 and was purchased by a couple that made their living by training elephants and booking them for county fairs and circuses.  Training methods included food deprivation, isolation and the use of a bull hook. The elephant Stoney learned all his tricks and began performing in 1977.  However, his owner’s lack of attention to his needs resulted in USDA violations regarding Stoney’s environment and physical and emotional condition. Then on September 23, 1994 while performing at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Stoney cried out and dropped to his knees having torn a tendon and leaving him unable to perform. After that, he lived in almost total isolation behind the Luxor Hotel and suffered a lot of pain and loneliness despite some efforts to restore him to health. Animal welfare advocates eventually got involved but Stoney died in August 1995 before he could be moved to a sanctuary. 

The next story about Mary is shorter since there were fewer records available. Mary was about 30 years old in 1916 when she arrived in Kingsport, Tennessee and became an attraction in a local circus act. The circus owners hired an inexperienced and unfamiliar man to be the elephant trainer. Despite the fact that this man feared Mary, the trainer rode on her in a procession to the watering hole where the elephants could drink and play. On the path, Mary spotted a piece of fruit on the ground. Even though she was whacked with a poker, Mary was determined to eat the fruit. Then, as the book states,  “Mary wrapped her trunk around him, plucked him off her back, and slammed him into a wooden drink stand.” The trainer was crushed to death and the locals cried out for Mary to be put down. On September 13, 1916, Mary was hung from a railroad crane in front of a large crowd.

 

Portland Oregon - a vegan friendly place



 Visited Portland the first week of September and discovered a place where being vegan was understood and actually quite normal. There were vegan only restaurants, vegan food trucks, and most restaurants had vegan options. Some of my favorite meals were the vegan corn dogs at "Hungry Tiger", the vegan lasagna at "Vita Cafe" and the delicious fresh wrap at "Veggie Grill" and, of course the vegan shelf at "Voodoo Doughnuts" - had one when I got there and one on my way to the airport to come home (If I could have brought home a dozen on the plane, I would have!!!!!). There is even a whole block with vegan only businesses including a grocery called "Food Fight". I can't even describe how happy this city made me feel - it is full of polite, caring, environmentally aware, fresh and compassionate food aware citizens. I am a big fan of bike riding - use mine to run errands, pop over to the library and even to work on good days. In Portland, the bike is an official form of transportation with bumper to bumper bike traffic in the many and well-maintained bike lanes. When I got home, I couldn't stop smiling and felt so amazingly happy. I finally figured out why. Just knowing that there is such a place in my country that seems to express so many of the values that I think are important (as mentioned above). As a pedestrian crossing the streets, the cars would stop in anticipation of my arrival at the intersection and we mostly signaled each other to go first - crossing the street could sometimes be time-consuming, but so sweet. (I'll take sweet any day) It made me feel less anxious and more hopeful about the future of our planet - there is someplace I can go if I ever needed to. I posted a photo of Voodoo above and will end with a photo of the lasagna at "Vita Cafe". Delicious. All you vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores should take a visit and check out this food-oriented amazing city.

Alicia Silverstone and Jimmy Fallon

I was all set to come down on Jimmy Fallon for making fun of those who made a big deal about Whole Foods incorrect labeling causing some vegans to have eaten real chicken instead of  'chick'n'. Especially if the reason for being a vegan is one of compassion for animals and the belief that not eating meat is a way to protest the ill treatment of animals, incorrect labeling and consumption of meat unawares would be very upsetting. I am sure this incident may have been the fodder for some humor on the late night shows, and since insult humor seems to be the genre of the late night, I don't want to come down too hard on Jimmy Fallon. I just don't really want to watch them (I do watch Stewart and Colbert, however, since they have many redeeming qualities).
BUT, when I went to search for more information on this incident, I found a video from another one of Jimmy Fallon's shows and an interview with Alicia Silverstone - a famous and 'easy to like' vegan. So, I watched the video. In her usual style, she was funny and calm, AND convincing  in her enjoyment and advocacy of the vegan food choices. The video does not show that Jimmy Fallon was convinced or even liked the vegan offerings, but he did have her on his show and she is such a delightful spokesperson for the cause. Just having her on the show and letting her do her thing has redeemed him. So, now that I got that off my chest, here is the clip with Alicia.  Her website is called the kind life. Check it out. I hope people at least try some of these alternate 'meats' - seitan, tempe, tofu - they can be made into some very tasty meals. You don't have to give up flavor to be a vegan - really, it's true!!!!! Keep the faith.