Hello,
I went for a hike on the Mountain Lake Scenic Trail, about 20 miles away from the Virginia Tech campus, on Sunday. While walking through the woods we came across a fellow who said there was a rattler under a rock at the edge of the hill, where we got a fantastic view of the valley for miles and miles. When we arrived there, we did indeed see a snake under a rock. However we could not see its tail, therefore maing it difficult to distinguish this snake as a rattler. The snake just lay there, barely budging, our entire time there.
Perhaps the person who informed us of a rattler's presence had seen the tail when he was there. Or maybe he has an advanced knowledge of snakes and could identify it based on other characteristics.
But I have a hunch that bias would make him assume it was a rattler.
Why?
Rattlers are poisonous.
And based on how people feel about snakes, they might as well all be horrible, venomous rattlers waiting to strike at any moment's notice.
It is this bias against snakes, this horrible bigotry that we humans feel toward our scaly reptile brothers, that I take offense to.
In all walks of life, a snake refers to someone evil, vile. In the arts too. Of course there's Adam and Eve story. In Huck Finn touching snake skin turns to bad luck. In Harry Potter snakes represent Slytherin, the most evil house ever. And please don't get me started with Snakes on a Plane.
It's simply not fair.
Snakes are some of the most beautiful creatures alive. The textures on their scaly skin are riveting. The way they slither. Breathtaking. The way some swallow their prey completely whole. Unbelievable I write this post to ask all of you, when you see a snake next, show some respect. Snakes forever!
I leave you now with a link to a certain snake expert's esteemed opinion on the matter. Perhaps he can help you understad better than I.
2 comments:
In some cultures snakes represent wisdom. Because of the fear people have of them, people seem to attribute them powerful meaning. Unfortunately for the snake it is often bad. I think you are on to something here. You should team up with the people from PETA and create a snake specific lobby. Someone has to fight for the little guy and take on big cooperations like those in the film industry that portray snakes in a negative light. (i.e. snakes on a plane)
P.S. I don't think it was a rattler. I am no expert but last I checked the only venomous snake native to VA is the copperhead.
I think you should discuss the fallic implications of the "snake" and how that may reflect on society/you as a person.
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