Letters

The Hamptons Doc Fest recently screened a film called “Fish & Men,” focusing on the small fishing industry, especially along the East Coast. The message was that while we rely on our fishermen to be stewards of the seas, our government has stripped so much power from small fishing businesses that it no longer supports their ability to do just that. Instead, laws have evolved to support powerful corporations, which are unlikely to provide such stewardship. The result for our seas — and, inevitably, our planet — could be disastrous.

The film caused me to reflect on how we, as a country, have come to view the “smaller people,” or anyone or anything with little power. A core value of this country has been to strive for self improvement. However, we seem to have lost our understanding of what we need to do as a government, as communities and as individuals to help some “smaller” people succeed.

During this surreal pandemic, many small businesses will fail, more families will go hungry, more small farmers and fisherman will be at risk, and more small, local charities will go underfunded.

I am realistic. I don’t expect that we will abandon our addiction to Amazon or Costco. Yet we can do so much to support those in our community who are at risk. Are we prepared to answer that call? Or will we follow along with the current attitude that if it is not commercialized it’s just not worth much?

This documentary ended with an example of just that kind of support. Much like there is a “farm to table” movement in the United States to support small farmers, there is a “dock to dish” movement, which was started in Montauk. The intention of both is to raise awareness of the source of the food/seafood that we buy.

In the case of fish, the intention is to encourage consumers to buy local and to try eating some of the lesser known species of fish that may be more plentiful for the local fishermen to catch.

This message is perhaps the most powerful: Individuals need to step in when they see something is wrong, try to fix it, and protect and support those in our communities. Whether that means supporting a local food pantry or buying and eating local, we all have individual responsibility.

Perhaps this is the ultimate message — that the only thing that will save us all is each other’s humanity.

Paula Angelone Ph.D.

Southampton Village