The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, an event that practically defines the holiday has been more dramatic that usual this year with escalating controversies. Specifically one pertaining to a sea world float and essentially all animal rights organizations. The float depicts an orca happily swimming with it's family and friends, suggesting sea world allows its captives family time and the illusion of being free. However, recent documentaries, such as Blackfish, that exploit sea world's inhumane practices do everything but comply with the happy images the float implies. The groups are calling for the float exclusion from the parade. Additionally another controversy deals with Joan Jett who was scheduled to perform on top of a South Dakota tourism float. Though, due to Jett's involvement with PETA and adamant vegetarianism, the directors of the float think she may not be the best spokesperson considering the fact that cattle exportation is a crucial part of South Dakota's economy. Jett said simply that she wouldn't allow political beliefs to hinder her enjoyment of the celebration and agreed to switch floats.
There seems to be so much drama associated with what should be a great event. I mean, honestly the best part of the parade are the giant balloons anyway and politics shouldn't dictate what can and can't be included. I completely understand the sea world controversy, but I think they may be going a little too far in demanding sea world be removed all together. I think a reasonable compromise would be to find a new float, but PETA can't expect them to create a completely accurate and factual portrayal of the place, after all, this is a parade for kids... People need to remember the point of this event and work out their disagreements in a civilized manner where a mutually beneficial solution can be reached.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/24/us/new-york-macys-thanksgiving-parade/index.html?hpt=us_t2
It so sad that people cant just focus on the good instead, we should be thankful for all the good happening in our world!
ReplyDeleteI think everyone is over thinking this. I feel like these stories are written just to stir up controversy when it's really not a big deal. Especially around this time of the year people need to be happy and content with what they have and try not to cause drama with these types of things.
ReplyDeletePolitics are essential in the functioning of our nation and the world. However, politics should not be used to make trivial or minor issues something of great importance. This is a reoccurring pattern in news and current events. Also, people wrongly use politics when they seek to promote their own personal agenda, or simply to better help themselves.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I would definitely want the sea world float out of the parade because of their record for animal negligence. However, I completely agree that this controversy has gone too far. Conflicts like this take away from the real purpose behind the Macy's parade, which is to honor tradition and have fun, while celebrating all that we have to be thankful for.
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