By TwoOFour
Alright, likelihood is that you will see a lady in town wearing this modern gray seal fur, now where the temperature is about 0 degrees Celsius and below. Don’t curse at her, please refrain from yelling PETA slogans and certainly don’t douse her in paint or other emulsions.
Here is the disclaimer: every year I spend countless hours explaining just why I wear this jacket, and it is not just because it is a warm, comfortable, and timeless piece of outerwear. This is also a statement, meant to educate and enlighten people all over about the great misunderstanding concerning this specific kind of fur, its origin and importance.
Surely, when you read “seal” the first image that came to mind was that Greenpeace baby seal poster, or pictures from Canada with the organized clubbing of baby harp seals or whitefurs. Let us get the geography straight, right off the bat. My jacket and the seal fur it was made from originated in Greenland. Greenland is a former colony of and is currently a self-governed state under the Danish Kingdom, since 1973 (which makes Denmark one of the largest countries in the world, by the way).
Now you must understand the basics of the relationship between the Greenland Inuit and the Danish state. In comparison, it is not all that different from what you know about the historical relationship between Native American Indians and the American government. Think: hundreds of years of exploitation and subsequent poverty, leading an entire people to demand independence and sovereignty, followed by a long drawn-out struggle for financial independence, all mired in hopelessness and despair. And there are no casinos in this story.
Greenland was, until recently, financially dependent on the Danish state and truly struggled to establish itself in the world economy, with the major export being fish and fish products. Another crucial export for Greenland is the seal fur. While people throughout the world enjoyed beautiful, affordable Greenland seal furs, Americans were left out. The American market was shut off, due to an embargo placed on ALL harp seal fur imports after a major Greenpeace campaign targeting the Canadian baby seal clubbing activities of the 1970s. But outside of the US, the exportation of furs was widely practiced and accepted around the world.
Pursuant to sec. 101(a) of the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the United States prohibits the import of harp-seal fur coats from Greenland. Sec. 101(a) extends the import prohibition to all marine mammals and marine mammal products without regard to whether the species in question is an internationally endangered or threatened species. Harp seals are not an internationally endangered or threatened species.
[Source]
The seal takes an important role as an export for Greenland and continues to be a primary source of food and clothing, as it has for thousands of years. The adult seals are hunted the same way they have been for hundred of years, mano-a-mano from kayaks. No clubs or nets are used, and the seals live till adulthood in their natural wild habitats. Every inch of the seal is eaten and/or used for other purposes in the household. The seal population is kept in check by the limited hunting (just like we have to keep the deer population in check) and there is a honed harmony between man and nature.
The killing of baby seals does not and has never taken place in Greenland. The Greenland seals do not breed in Greenland and it is far from the Greenlandic hunting tradition to hunt baby seals, which do not carry much meat.
The bottom line is, the seal that ended up as my jacket likely had a significantly better and more stress-free life than the poor cow that ended up as your shoes, that same cow had to endure electrical shock to its back from a electrical wand as it tried to relieve itself so it wouldn’t overshoot the sewer canal, being fed non-vegetarian questionable diet and generally living in miserably crammed quarters, only to be put down by being stunned and gassed or bled to death.
I wear my seal fur as a symbol for my support for the independence of the Greenland Inuit, and to educate a few about this unfair embargo. You will notice that Queen Margaret of Denmark will wear seal fur at all public functions when the weather allows, for exactly that same reason.
Sources:
Crucial export for Greenland
Embargo
204
Popularity: 18% [?]
way up north where it gets real cold,
we ran out of money and we ran out of gold,
so we make our liviiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnng…
clubbing the baby seals
[ARF ARF!]
it’s a song, see?
OK, I’ll do it.
I won’t spray you with paint, but wearing a fur is terrible, unless you actually hunted the animal yourself and wrestled it to death out of self defense. I’m not positive about it, but I don’t think seals are as over populated of a species as a cow. Cow’s are bred to be slaughtered. I feel the ending of their miserable lives is justified. I think seals lead a much more happy free life swimmin around in the fenceless ocean. I don’t know how they kill the seals, but I doubt its with hand-to-hand combat. They may not club ‘em on the head, but they sure as hell don’t kill seals by patting it gently on the head, or hugging it to death.
I don’t feel you should have to justify it, though. I hunt birds. I follow the rules. I buy a license, I take my limit and that’s all. I then eat the birds I kill. We (hunters) keep the duck/goose poplation in check. If I find out that seals are in anyway a protected species, then I will hope that someone else sprays your coat. Till then, be prepared to defend yourself, because, as you know, wearing that coat is just asking for confrontation.
/delivered
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7286/seal85991000uk5.jpg
The people that spray paint coats are just causing more animals to die.
“Spray paint my coat? I’ll buy a new one, and I’ll make sure it’s made out of baby seal, SUCKAHHH!!”
Goobler why don’t you do some fact finding before you voice your opinion, maybe what I write is based in facts, what do you know about Inuit culture and seals?
GOOBLER! that is a funny name. not quite a goober, but trying really hard.
I’m waiting for Sexshuns’ Going Out of Business sale on fur and other fine garments
Do you eat all the leather shoes you own?
Nice touch Thor
Destined to be an epic “Lords of Umbrage” thread.
Gee yo you are so sophisticated, I love the image…..I have been out to get that guy for a while, he never saw it coming
Do I detect sarcasm?
No, just affection, you are being paranoid darling, I had to look up the word “Umbrage” hence sophisticated.
I have been out to get that guy for a while
Everyone says he’s amazing…
Yo - you makde me laugh
2 - Thanks for this post
Well Heck, I’ve never given fur much thought septin’ DAMN that looks warm, but I’d like to thank 2O4 for bringing some perspective to the issue. After reading this, and being a veg for 17 years I’d have to agree with your views. Wear that seal proud, hun. (wow, I called you hun).
Honestly, I don’t care whether you wear a seal fur or panda fur or a dick-fir. You just posted cause you wanted an argument, and I like to do that. I don’t need facts to have opinions. This is the internet.
This is the internet.
Are we welcome here?
NO!
I honestly can’t give that response my seal of approval.
. how bout here?
Oh that didn’t work like it was supposed to. forget I said anything.
i wish i was in the club.
yeah, you’re gonna just have to stay home and jacket.
17-20 have me cracking up. Everyone in the office is giving me weird looks. Thank jeebus for cvillain.
i’m sensing a thick, blubber-like coat of sarcasm.
I’ve got a club for ya, Parlie, you tiny little seal, you. Hold still.
More of a cull to arms, methinks.
dear everyone,
Killing animals is our right as humans, and as we rape the earth and exploit it, wearing furs lets other people know you are the rapest(like dopest, but different). So i wear my fur when I’m around people that drive SUVs and eat lots of meat. Sure they wasted 3 gallons of gas and killed a cow today, but i killed a black bear(coat), a racoon(hat…my dad was davey crocket, don’t ask), and a cow(shoes) and whatever animal khakis are made from. And then i had the seabass.
Sometimes you just gotta ask yourself, when’s the last time i forcefully had intercourse with mother earth? It should have been today.
OK, this site has now officially gone from pretentious, immature, and occasionally disgusting to just plain sick and stupid. Truly, y’all have outdone yourselves.
I’ve watched cvillain develop from the beginning, and I don’t see how one person’s defensive rant about wearing fur is in any way news, and it ain’t gossip, either. TwoOFour, I think you’re very bright and I would have no beef with reading this on your personal blog, but that’s not what this is. GMonet asked a little while back what exactly the point of the site is, and I have to say that after months of watching its evolution, it now comes across as nothing but a snarky community of 20somethings (and 20something wannabes) who love nothing better than hearing the beautiful sound of their oh-so-witty voices echoing out in the depths of the Internet. Such potential here, but by recent posts, that seems to have been squandered.
Go ahead, rip into me. Tell me I’m a total square, that I’m just jealous because I’m not a poker-playin’, Live-Arts-goin’, cafeteria-table-dancin’ clique insider; that I don’t have a right to say anything because I only comment and never post; that my mother’s a ballroom pimp. Welcome me to the Internet. Better yet, go out to a wine tasting and live your life; that’s where I’m heading now.
Just in from wine tasting, fdr. I like what you have to say. This community is a lot of things, which makes me ask what content you come here for. I think some come just for the arguments and 2g1c quips, some come to find out what’s going on this weekend, some come to get news, and some come to stalk “out” villains. The list goes on. But if a fraction of our posts are a good fit for you, I’m considering us a success.
That said, @29, not at all funny to me. Not even amused.
@2, sorry you didn’t have more support.
I love wearing suede and leather and eating foie gras.
@30 - I’d just like to state for the record that I haven’t said anything witty or clever in about a month or so…
/ just sayin
I hear you lilith, but what about sweetbreads?
fdr, you’re a total square!
Best sweetbreads of my life in San Diego. Indeed, I am a loud and proud fan.
@33, I’ll eat almost anything that can be found in a restaurant. I don’t care for urchin or shark, for example, but I’ve had them. I’d like to try tongue, I’m pretty sure I’ve not had it. It seems I would remember that. Insects are where I have to draw the line. And pig feet/head– as long as it’s chopped up to be unrecognizable, great, but there my problem is just with the association of it live. Some of my favorite meals to date are things few will order– boiled octopus, skate wing, eel (love!), blood sausage… Vegetarians: I assure you that as much of an animal that can possibly be used is used. Meat-eaters who don’t like thinking about this: sorry!
Speaking of square, I think fdr just stepped up the level. buk, I’ll think your funny even if lilith doesn’t.
wanago, sweetbreads? Silmo reeks of clever. byo, I would appreciate more lengthy typing. gobbler, should run for office so’s we can tear him apart and see what’s inside. Parlie IS god! Thor, …oh thor, I just don’t know what to say. UvaGrape is never here when we need her. I really (REALLY) miss Floozy! colfer, is the sign of reason. Oy, that’s yo spelt backwards (the most eligible bachlor in Cville) . Got to give credit where credit’s due. buster’s a silly flirt. icenine, “ice-nine is a fictional material conceived by science fiction writer Kurt Vonnegut”. Street, is, like, happnin’ in that neo-cvillain sort of way. Stanley’s a ho. Tim, your like, the poular kids. Smiley throws in some good kicks. Two o four “hottness” .orchid say’s “liquor makes it quicker to get chicks drunk enough for you to get laid”. -to be continued…
lilith-”I’d like to try tongue”
And another thing…. When the hell is parlie hour? is there a schedule? someone…please.
fdr: Do you read all the articles in a newspaper and enjoy them?
It is not fair to judge the site because you think I am nothing but a narcissistic community blogger in love with my own words and letters. If the Cvillain is developing in a direction you don’t particular appreciate, I think you should contribute with content that is more along the lines of what you think is appealing for the masses.
When I wrote this piece that you read and found not worthy, it was a culmination of many years of pondering and research, many a conversation and a deep felt passion for the subject and the Inuit’s struggle. Today I find that we as consumers on a local level as well as a global level have to re-evaluate our position as the socio economic consequences have as much impact as the environmental considerations.
It is apropos now where fur seem to enjoy a comeback on the runways and i fashion, and remains as controversial a subject as ever. Instead of telling me that my words are sub par, you ought to consider maybe creating your own site with the content you desire, and keep out any people that may decide to socialize outside the realm of your blog so you don’t have to bothered with side comments about “real life” relationships that are forming.
Damn 2.
Not “damn 2″ rather: DAMN, Two.
@37 Hottness ?????? - more than cheese, I don’t know who you are or where we met, but you made my night
Totally “said with that eighties smooth”
I totally got it that way too, cool man
This is when everyone (except me) goes to see Jim Waive play.
http://www.myspace.com/jimwaive
JIM WAIVE & THE YOUNG DIVORCEES CD Release Party with The Acorn Sisters & Barling & Collins
Doors at 8 / $8/$10 door
jimwaive.com
Come celebrate the new CD release from local favorites, Jim Waive and the Young Divorcees, entitled Strike a Match. This recording consists of all original material conceived in the style of traditional country music and presented through the wonders of modern technology. Joining Jim Waive and the Young Divorcees for their special night will be the local vocal stand outs The (All New) Acorn Sisters featuring Sian Richards and Sarah White (who also appear on the album Strike a Match) and the acerbically funny and talented guitar and cello duo of Barling and Collins. This is truly a night to celebrate the best of what Charlottesville has to offer and you will not want to miss it.
(p.s. JIM WAIVE & THE YOUNG DIVORCEES CD Release Party with The Acorn Sisters & Barling & Collins
Three of the most talented groupings of local music. (acerbically)?
lilith you like sweetbreads and eel? Well, if we can agree on a wine and you like fresh oysters perhaps there is a bit of tongue I could prepare for you.
Till then I’m guessing the wild boar at Bizou will have to do
two, I think you’re awesome and thanks for the post, it was interesting. and yes, yes hottness! Makeouttage! (thanks lilith)
Clearly more than cheese doesn’t know me.
Caroline: Darlingness
yeah, that’s me babycakes.
fdr: whoaaaa, ease off the hatorade.
I think this is a very interesting post from a cVillain community member who is taking us outside of our little gossip bubble for a minute to address a greater issue, one that is not black and white and speaks to many here whether or not they are vegetarian or omnivore or hunters or whatever. I think she was hoping it would lead to some interesting discussion and would be a nice break from the usual goofy banter. I’m anti-fur/ leather/animal product as they get but I appreciate that not everyone is in the same boat as me and there are people/circumstances in the world who need to eat meat or wear fur and that’s that. So thanks, for the perspective, 2o4.
@29: I thought Buk was being over the top darkly humorous and it was funny…
I found Lilith far more offensive in 36 because she seems to think that eating weird things is so hardcore and adventurous but she then admits that she does not really like thinking about where it came from. That’s a lot of the problem with people today, not having to think about where stuff actually comes from and what that means. And the remark about all the animal being used? How do you know this?
But I’m not gonna hate on Lil for saying these things, because everyone comes from different places and is better or less educated on certain topics and that is why we have forums like this to talk about it.
Now let’s go dancing.
come pick me up nanigans!
I am not driving to L-Vegas. But we definitely need to have a villain field trip down there sometime soon. Dance party at the Starlite???
getting liquor license for spring, many music shows out in courtyard… I will see you soon in Charlottesville hunnybunny.
@51: The offenses aren’t remotely close to each other! I put sex offense jokes in the same category with race jokes– some pricy humor. But my choosing to eat a product and appreciating that someone else is willing to make that product? Not quite the same? Right? I won’t describe in detail how to make baked stuffed lobster, and what the process entails, but yes, I have definitely killed a living animal to eat it and, while it is unpleasant, I feel completely okay with it. I think we are just thinking very differently on this one! I’m sorry!
Ooh, you’re offended by me being offended at you for being offended.
Let’s settle this with a dance-off.
OXO.
Midnight.
i have a full-length brown raccoon coat, a brand-new black rabbit jacket, a beige rabbit jacket… and i bought them all at rummage sales. ergo, i didn’t kill any cute little animals, yet i have jackets made out of cute little animals. if i got painted or something i would really be ticked off. cause, e.g., those rabbits have been dead for about 80 years already. me not buying then wasn’t going to bring them back to life. it someone gave me problems when i was wearing them, we would probably have to have a bitch-fight. & i would win, so don’t bother.
thank you beer run, market street, crush/gregg, etc. & you cool roller hockey girls i met tonight. ok, still drunk. goodnight.
SWEET FIERY HELL,
i missed parlie hour.
Yes parlie hour in L-vegas
@37 byo, I would appreciate more lengthy typing
Is this sarcasm? I do tend to go on and on and off topic…
no sarcasm, More!
Belmont, Rekop call me
two you cliquester. i love you.
Caroline Rekop, get you cute ass to my digs, Now!
Is is caroline hour now?
anyone want to sallie forth to parlie?
shall we sallie forth to parlie?
/or are y’all playing Kerop?
.,.
Its always caroline hour. And I know not this magical land of parlie, nor the mad chronometer by which hours are measured in such a fantastical realm.
speaking of fantastical realms, When is mass for your maniacal religiosing?
say what you want about sallie. she gives great head.
Just an FYI for everyone: I had forgotten to include TwoOFour’s links. Please see the sources in the body of the post for more reading.
[…] READ THIS ONE: 2O4 bitch slaps non-fur wearers. [well said] […]
[…] is one of our great advocates for animals. On Friday, we had an exchange in the comment thread of TwoOFour’s post on wearing fur that touched on the question of how much a meat-eater should know, or do, about the […]