Prayer for the World by Lori-ann Latremouille
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ver since I was a child, I have had a deep empathy and love for nature and all its various and wonderful creatures. I remember seeing a television documentary about whaling when I was about five years old. I was horrified. How could people dishonour these intelligent and majestic creatures and treat them so cruelly? I felt as though I were watching my friends being slaughtered, and for what purpose? Apparently, it was to provide fine oil for perfumes. I had to look away from the television screen, tears running down my cheeks. I knew that what I was seeing was unnecessary and wrong. So, at a very early age I became a bit 16 .
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misanthropic. This is not to say that I didn’t love and care about my family and friends. I just couldn’t overlook some of the cruel and careless ways that humankind treated its fellow creatures and the environment. As I grew up, I also became aware of how terribly people could treat one another. I could never really understand why, but I knew that much of the reason was related to fear and greed. And it seemed that the motive for mistreating other species and the environment was also rooted in thoughtless avarice. Still, deep in my heart I knew that humans were a good species and capable of tremendous acts of intelligence and love. I h ave ne ve r t hou g ht t h at humankind is somehow separate or more special than any other
species on this Earth. Undeniably, we do have tremendous power and inf luence on this planet, but in my opinion, that doesn’t put all other life forms a step below us. It simply puts humankind in an important and honourable position with regard to the stewardship and future of this world. And despite our greedy actions sometimes, I think we are very capable of doing a great job. I regard t he misgiv ings and mistakes of humankind as part of a long journey on a very large learning curve. I do think, however, that our apprenticeship must finally be coming to a crucial and decisive stage. As a species, we are now poised to show what we have learned. We can now do what we are very capable continued on p. 35
Prayer for the World Exhibition April 20 – May 3 April 20: Artist reception 6-9pm. Vancouver children’s choir performs Lori-ann’s song Prayer for the World, 7:30pm. Directed by Rupert Lang. April 22: In celebration of Earth Day, people are invited to bring along an idea, poem, picture, or even just a word about how to help save the world, noon to 5pm. Linda Lando Fine Art, 2001 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver, 604-266-6010. www.latremouille.com www.lindalandofineart.com
APRIL 2006
3/28/06 6:57:23 PM
