Blackfish

I watched Blackfish on netflix and I have to say, I was surprised I was unaware of the attacks on the trainers. Being a Southern Cali resident for most of my life, I heard about the San Diego incident, but believed the press release, that it was an accident, most likely the cause of human error or wrong place at the wrong time. Essentially, successful victim blaming.

It was shocking hearing how they originally captured, tortured, and sold Tilikum with the intention at that point for him to be a sperm donor and not interact with people. Which, is a bit ridiculous, since he is stuck in a tank taken care of by trainers.

The issue, of course, does not begin and end with Tilikum. He seems to be the best example. They provide proof that other Orca's in the Sea World establishment behaved in a similar manor. There is no proof that the others were specifically tortured like he was, but that the act of captivity and forced performance are torture enough to make them act out.

There are two driving points in the documentary that I feel they were successful displayed, 1. the treatment of whales: they are huge and forced to live in such small confines, being fed based on performance, in some cases physical torture, and being forced into pods not of their choosing. 2. The inaction and dishonest approach by Sea World and the lack of safety for their employees is astounding. Not only that, the lack of concern for their whales as well. Selling off a baby and separating it from it's mother at a young age is cruel, but making fun of those who show concern is inhuman.

It seems everyone falls into the expendable consumer goods category for them, whether human or whale. The victim blaming solidified their inability to make changes. There is a new law that forbids the trainers to be in the pool with the whales, a good law, and they are fighting it. Astounding.

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