I have been following the discussion about Avatar with considerable
interest. There is quite a range of opinions [but this is a good
thing]. I have to admit that the plot almost seems like a rip-off of
"Dances With Wolves"; a friend of mine made a reference to the film
being similar to Pocahontas. In spite of this I'm still very fascinated
and enthralled by the story.
There were some references made on the list to Sigourney
Weaver's role as the scientist. If you want to follow through on this
thread, there are any number of ethical questions that can be discussed.
Was it right to create an Avatar in the first place? Now that you have
created it, what is its purpose? It may have been done with good
intentions, but, as the story evolves, those good intentions were
hijacked. And after you have studied a culture, a people, a society,
etc. what right do you have to make any changes to that culture? What
precautions to do take to keep change from mushrooming into something
ugly?
Some of the right-wing reviewers were cautioning people
about the "hidden messages" of the film: it is anti-war,
anti-imperialism, anti-corporation, anti-consumerism, pro-environment,
etc. I don't think these messages are hidden. I think they're quite
obvious. If you walk out of the theater and can talk about nothing
other than the computer animation, special effects and the "exotic" love
story, you have missed a big chunk of the film. When the military
commander tells Jake Sulley that he has been given "corporate approval"
for Jake's new legs, isn't this a statement as to how we treat our
injured veterans, whether it is in mind or body? I love Jake's line
when he realizes he is on the wrong mission: "They are not going to
trade what they have for lite beer and a pair of blue jeans".
To protect the Na'vi, Jake realizes that he needs to protect
the environment and that brought to my mind other environmental heroes.
Here are three that I would like to mention.
The first in Dian Fossey (1932-1985). Fossey was a leading researcher
in the field of primates focusing her work on the mountain gorillas in
Rwanda. She was killed by unknown assailants and the case (technically)
is still open. Sigourney Weaver played Fossey in the film Gorillas in
the Mist (Is there a hidden message here?).
The second is Dorothy Mae Stang (1931-2005). Stang was an
American-born, Brazilian sister of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
order. She was murdered in Anapu, a city in the Amazon basin of Brazil.
Stang was a fearless advocate for both the poor and the environment.
Arrests have been made, people have been sentenced, but the outcome is
still pending. There was a documentary film made of her life entitled
"They Killed Sister Dorothy" narrated by Martin Sheen.
My third environmental hero is Julia Butterfly Hill (1974- ). Hill
stayed in a redwood tree for named "Luna" for a remarkable 738 days in
order to keep it from being cut down. Fortunately, she is still among
the living.
One other person I would like to mention is William McIntosh (1775-1825)
also known as McIntosh of the Creeks. I don't know if he was an
environmental advocate as such, but he was an unusual example of a
multi-racial person who went "native". McIntosh was the offspring of a
British officer and a Creek woman. His father took off very early and
didn't leave a forwarding address. Since his mother was of Creek blood,
he was readily accepted into the tribe and became an important
chieftain. BTW, you can read bios of all these people in Wikipedia.
So I would like to start a thread on environmental heroes. Who would
you nominate for our "Environmental Hall of Fame" and how do we make
these people as well know to the American public as Michael Jackson,
Tiger Woods and the latest winner on American Idol?
Ed Nizalowski
Newark Valley, NY
--
Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org
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