CHARM CAN ENDANGER

Many people find delight in the Jacquie Lawson ecards developed by a talented British artist. I like their dancing teddy bears, their signature cat, the two dogs and the continuous representation in so many ways of a world of wonder and innocence, a quite sophisticated world that offers the kind of soothing and solace we wish could exist. Or that, in our dreams, we dreamed of as children. 

 

 Just now when I went to their site, I saw they are offering a desktop animation, their delightful version of a circus with dancing elephants and so on. Oh oh.

 

Though they don’t intend it, they are enlisting in the romanticism of circuses. I wanted to speak up but to keep my thoughts within their so amiable world of whimsy and beauty. Here is what I said: 

 

“Your cards and the Advent Calendar have brought me much joy. However, I am concerned about your Circus offering which I have just previewed. While it’s beautifully done, I ask you to re-consider its present form. I am among those who feel deeply that elephants and other "wild" animals should not be exploited in circuses. They are prisoners, ill-treated. They can not sign on or agree. The social life necessary to their well-being is not possible.

 

 

"Many countries now are passing laws forbidding the use of these animals in circuses and supporting another kind of circus that stars humans (who can consent and who are paid) or companion animals such as dogs who work only with their guardians. Although I'm sure you do not intend to promote the abuse of elephants and tigers and others, yet presenting a romantic circus according to the out-of-date version of the past is sending a message that indirectly supports that abuse. Though you haven’t intended it, the very success of your considerable and beguiling charm is indirectly enlisted in the anachronistic and atavistic meme about circuses and the archaic world represented, part of which is based on the mistreatment of animals. Thank you for reading this. I admire your company VERY much.”

 

Not just anger but charm can harm. There are several relevant quotes which I can't just now call to mind.  They all say something like this:   Of all things be most careful of life.

http://www.jacquielawson.com/thecards.asp?c=3349101&hdn=0