Circus Fan Talks Circus

I had a chat with moderator and list owner Janine Funk about her lifelong interest in the circus.

CC: Tell us about yourself. JF: I'm 21, live in Edwardsville, Pennsylvania, and have a 3 year old son, Takoja. I am Delaware Indian. I collect things pertaining to the Hamids, Ringling elephants, circus ephemera, and things pertaining to ringmasters (photos, figures,etc.).

CC: when did you first discover the circus? JF: I don't remember the name of the show, but I remember the feelings I had, awe and joy. I was completely mesmerized by every small detail of it, the sights, the sounds, the smells. All of it took root in my soul and never let go. CC : what do you like most about the circus? JF: I love the humanity of it, seeing ordinary people doing extraordinary things. In a circus, you get to see people at their best, and some days at their worst. It is not like a movie, all perfectly edited, pristine in it's bubble sterility and perfection. It's real and all going on right in front of you, live and at that very moment.

CC: what do you like least about the circus? JF: I guess the only thing I don't like is the animal libbers who swoop down on the shows like some kind of plague.

CC: if you could be anyone in the circus, who (or what) would it be? JF: I have always wanted to do something with the lighting and the sound. Rather than being in the spotlight, putting amazing talent in the spotlight. Making sure that the performers look and sound their best. In other words, being in the background, but still an integral part of the show. CC: How do you feel about the Animal Liberation Groups' stand against the circus animal performers? JF: I detest them with every fiber of my being. These people are wasting time and resources on saving animals that for the most part do not need saving while children are killing each other in schools and on the streets. They seem to put animal rights above human rights. I have seen them make children cry with their literature. Never mind the emotional impact on these children, that poor elephant has to ride a tricycle! A perfect case of misplaced priorities and a waste of time and funds which can be doing so much good. Will it truly matter 20 years from now that they made a stand against elephants being made to perform? I think that the mother whose child starved to death because she had none of the money wasted on their cause to purchase food would think not.

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