Login / RegisterShark-fin controversy provokes vigorous debate
Much has been made of the shark-fin soup issue, from the perspective of animal rights to the rights of consumers to eat specific foods, and now to cultural differences [“ Restaurant owner says ‘bananas’ don’t get importance of shark-fin soup”, web-only]. I don’t believe the controversy around this city decision [to ban shark-fin soup] has anything to do with the above; rather, it’s a matter of equality and discrimination.
As a locally born Canadian who is ethnic Chinese, I have long been a personal advocate of animal rights. I have saved birds and small animals that have been injured and donated to wildlife-rescue funds, and I abhor hunting, trapping, foie gras, seal clubbing, caged chicken coops, and the wearing of furs.
Yet I abhor even more the city’s decision. Why? Because in the face of all the above-mentioned animal abuses, only the practice specific to Vancouverites of Chinese ethnicity was targeted. So again, the ethnic Chinese of Vancouver and Canada are being used as a scapegoat, as if they are the only guilty party.
The city decision is racially discriminatory. And Coun. Kerry Jang has proven once again that he is using his ethnicity as a guise to target ethnic Chinese Vancouverites in an attempt to blend into his voter base.
So the real controversy is not about animal rights at all—or even “bananas” versus new immigrants—but simply about racial discrimination in Vancouver and how the city is promoting it.
> Edmond Wong / Vancouver
Shark Fining and any ban related to fining is not about discrimination- it is about protecting the balance in our oceans, the very same oceans that Humanity needs to survive. The mass slaughter of sharks - primarily for shark fin soup- a Chinese delicacy that is tasteless and has more to do with image,prestige and the new found wealth in China than anything else is a senseless barbaric act that needs to stop - It is not a slight to the Chinese it is simply necessary to maintain the health of our ecosystems. With over 73 million sharks per year being killed simply to feed the Chinese demand, the ecological balance in our oceans is being destroyed. This is all about acting responsibly to protect the future of humanity - you cannot survive without oxygen nor can mankind survive if our oceans are depleted of the ability to create oxygen. Enough of the ignorance do the research b necessary - listen to the scientists and environmentalist before voicing opinions.
FYI- Mr Wong. the loss of any of the animals you mentioned would not create an imbalance in our ecosystems the way the loss of sharks would Your children's future would not be jeopardized by the loss of foie gras or chicken wings or fur coats please try to see the bigger picture !!!!
Selfish people like you are what makes this world a disgusting place. BE A BETTER PERSON.
It's so easy to see this ban as something which will help preserve a species, but what is harder to see is how this impacts the cultural right of Chineese to kill whichever animals they want, in whatever quantities they want, without any oversight or regulation. It's discrimination I tell you!
I think we should let the market solve it. I predict that in ten years time, we'll be hearing a lot less about sharks. Ever again. Problem solved!
Are you a complete dunce Sir?
Asians aren't the victims here...sharks are. Asians just happen to be the ones to blame.