When was the last time you squashed a bug?

Really, think about it. When was the last time you smashed one of those little creepy crawlies?

I'd say the last time I can really recall was when I was emptying out the fountain in the backyard, using enough water to create a small marsh. The fountain was getting really dirty, so I had to go outside and scrub it, and empty it. Now, it's one of those waterfall fountains--it had a little basin, then a large hollow case with a pipe going through it, connected to the pump. The pipe heads up to a slit on top, out of which water pours, making that dang nice effect. (If you ever wondered how one of those fountains worked, now you know!)

However, the thing is a little... lunky. The top portion is rather heavy to lift. I unplugged the pump, unplugged the tube, and then slid it all the way out into the clear where I could get at it with my heavy duty brush. I scrubbed for at least ten minutes, getting all the gunk off while spraying what must have been gallons of water at it. Afterwards, I went on to the basin.

However, the basin is a bit intimidating. You see, it has a rim to it, so if you want to dump it out, you have to turn it either completely over or do some very fancy tricks to get all the gunk, leaves, and residual generic-stuff-I'd rather-not-describe out. So, I did this, all the while trying to avoid spiders, crickets, and other nasty crawlies that happened to make the sides and bottom of this basin their home for whatever bizarre reason.

Most of us probably agree with me when say I don't like bugs. Creepy crawlies, dilating and undulating legs, spasms and twitchy movements and a strange top and bottom to fit--they're freaky, 'nuff said. I don't like them, I don't like seeing them, and I don't like being near them. As a result, I spent most of the time spraying down these little critters, off my basin and away from my feet. A spider even somehow found its way onto my left hand--my heart jumped, and I sprayed it off.

Then, there was that cricket. A cricket had found its way around the bricks that the basin lay on, and was crawling about. I'd spray it away from me. Every time, it would not be deterred by my watery fury whatsoever--if anything, it would just jump out of the water and start swimming again. We waged epic war--its amazing crickety legs against my green gardening hose. I might have won the war if I had some attachments for my hose nozzle, but no. Instead, after spending at least two minutes bothering this poor cricket, I was struck with an amazingly concise realization.

Humanity's disgust and revilement against bugs, insects, arachnids, and all types are a prime and absolutely unveiled example of racism. Or, perhaps, speciesism (that's actually a word)--but it's really the same concept.

As I was spraying that cricket, I realized something. That cricket was trying so hard to stay on top, and it wasn't bothering me. It wasn't assaulting me, or trying to mug me, or even eat my clothes. It wasn't doing anything to me--I was just afraid of it. It showed a lack of tolerance and a lack of understanding that inevitably led to fear and irrational actions. It parallels racism in the real world in almost every way. People have tried to argue against this, but I must insist that this is the case. Back way back when, when slavery was still around and thriving, I assure you, the white Americans treated and regarded African Americans as little more than insects. In fact, many of them most likely found them revolting. Perhaps most alarming are people's amazing hostility to bugs that aren't bothering them. Some people will go much farther out of their way than necessary to kill a bug--outdoors. This kind of animosity isn't reserved just for bugs, or even animals, either.

I'm not saying we should start giving termites land grants and legal rights and try them in a court of law, but I'm just saying that we should leave the bugs alone if they're not bugging us. Unlike what you might think (or infer from your cousin running screaming in circles around your tent), bees are not intent on stinging you. If you let a bee pass, it will pass. If you pissed it off--well, that's your fault, isn't it? I'm not saying we really can regard insects as equals, either. They don't understand our systems, so we go about our ways. Cockroaches? Filth. Silverfish? They eat your clothes. Termites? They mess up your homes. Ants? They eat your food. Spiders? They eat your bugs. Instead of squashing the spiders, throw them outside. They're good for you.

It's not a matter of equality or "right or wrong", really. It doesn't make so much of a difference, whatever we do--but our actions against the creatures that can't defend themselves speak some disturbing truths.

No matter what, here's a toast to you, Mr. Cricket. Cheers.

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