as the oil moves closer to the florida gulf coast, the reality of utter ecological devastation is starting to sink in and we are starting to truly fear the coming of what those in LA and AL are already experiencing first hand. being on the other side of the globe, it's been hard to grasp that this is really happening. i still feel somewhat disconnected from this mess. but when i think about it hard enough, i realize the truth..that i will never be able to freely swim in the gulf again. i will forever be haunted by images of this disaster. no matter how clean the water may "look," that there are still traces of contamination..invisible oil...cancerous chemicals..i don't even know how long, if ever, it will take me to want to get back in the water again. maybe im overreacting? maybe it won't really be that bad, and the water will be safe? who knows. but the point is, the idea that the water is eternally fucked is in my head and it won't go away. i keep thinking about the last time i was in the water..summer of 2008, my last night in the states. my mom, baby sister, and i spent the whole day on holmes beach. we went on and on about how beautiful this place was..crystal clear blue water, white powder sand, dolphins...the water was so warm and i floated in it as we watched the sun being swallowed up by the horizon. that place is truly heaven on earth. and now the tears have started as i type this and think that i will never have that feeling again. as i think about how it must already be for everyone in louisiana and alabama. how it must be for all of the animals clinging to life, drowning, blinded, burning esophaguses and stomachs being eaten away from the inside out.
we need to stop pointing fingers and get more deeply involved. bp protests...ok we fucking KNOW they need to pay. stop wasting your time/resources with bp demos and petitions and playing the blame game..theres so much more we can do- even if you dont live in florida, louisiana..or any of the states along the gulf. below are some examples/links of some EASY stuff that you can do.
----->donate hair/pantyhose/nylons to matter of trust. pantyhose are oppressive...don't disguise your legs. let's put that crap to some actual GOOD use. inform your salons/barber shops about this too. all that hair is just going to be thrown away otherwise.
http://www.matteroftrust.org/programs/hairmatsinfo.html
----->donate supplies to animal rescue efforts/ animal hospitals. you can find info for collection sites here:
http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/volunteer.html
• Heating pads (w/o auto shut off if possible)
• Large Rubbermaid containers with lids
• Heating lamps
• Large backyard portable pools like found at Wal-Mart
• Disposable Towels
• Plastic Trash Bags
• Plastic Trash Cans
• Newspaper
• Linens
• Sheets
• Toothbrushes (NEW)
• Heavy Duty Rubber Gloves
• Kennels (Small to X-Large)
• Adhesive Bandages
• Shovels
• Rakes
• Stand by fire extinguishers
• Bottled water
• Dawn Detergent
• Pepto-Bismol
----->there are tons of volunteer training programs and lots of information on how and where to do clean up efforts along the beaches. florida info is here (but just google if you are living somewhere else)
http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/volunteer.html
*******remember how dangerous this is and not to handle it lightly. don't just pick up shit that is slicked with oil. check out the links and read up on what to do, how to handle trash, numbers to call if you see animals in distress, or if you notice changes in the air or oil on the shore
http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/#Coast
*******if you are consuming animal products, you should always be conscious that you are probably ingesting some crazy second hand shit. but especially now, think twice before eating fish or shrimp or any seafood...fishing on the gulf coast is being brought to its knees...you as a consumer need to be mindful of the fact that what you eat could be contaminated. (and of course you should always be conscious of the -suffering- that went into the animal products you are consuming...even "free range" products)
*******even the air is dangerous from burning the oil. read up on dangers and health effects from this disaster. increased risk of cancer..the usual good news: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/cancer/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100257930
********you can watch a video of the predicted trajectory of the oil spill here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxgbvDcmrYQ
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