Racism, misogyny prompt American Ornithological Society renaming of birds : science

[-] betterdeadthanreddit@lemmy.world 13 points 11 months ago

You can find a list on https://birdnamesforbirds.wordpress.com/historical-profiles/bios-by-region/ if you're interested.

[-] infinitepcg@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Yet often it was his own stubborn and uncompromising nature that defined his life – his choices paint a picture of a man who was unable to heed the words of others. This undendinly antagonistic nature cost him friends, honours and ultimately put him into the dark role of colonialist.

He was "stubborn and uncompromising", which makes him "antagonistic", therefore a colonialist and racist. That's a pretty low bar. I don't think it makes sense to define racism in a way that makes all 19th century naturalists racist.

[-] Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

You could have also picked the dude that desecrated indigenous graves to do phrenology.

Edit: Jesus Christ you left out that this dude was a literal colonizer in New Zealand. He was an officer in a militia during the New Zealand Wars.

He was also a committee member of The New Zealand Company, which existed to systemically colonize New Zealand.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_John_Swainson#New_Zealand_estate

So maybe it is slightly misleading to say he was labeled racist for being “antagonistic”??

[-] infinitepcg@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago

Admittedly, I only checked this one article. I think it's hard to judge how evil he really was. Either way, not a hill I'm going to die on.

[-] PetDinosaurs@lemmy.world 0 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

This is a terrible source, as is Lemmy tradition.

Here's a better source I really wish that op would have been better about that. It's linked in the article they linked.

It appears that they are concerned with the tradition that the first person that scientifically describes the species gets to name it.

And, well, those people have been white.

[-] asdfasdfasdf@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago

Seems like stupid rationale IMO.

[+] pinkdrunkenelephants@lemmy.world -26 points 11 months ago

That's why people should be concerned. There's likely an ulterior motive here.

[-] Afghaniscran@feddit.uk 20 points 11 months ago

I'm curious what the ulterior motive for renaming birds could be?

[-] BustinJiber@lemmy.world 14 points 11 months ago

Obviously it's about globalist world domination plot

[-] Someology@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago

To sell new bird guide editions, obviously.

[-] mriormro@lemmy.world 15 points 11 months ago

Lol, what? What exactly is concerning about renaming birds to be more descriptive?

Not everything is a conspiracy, my guy.

[-] Potatos_are_not_friends@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

First, they rename birds.

And then, they'll make all of our kids gay trans Korean lizard people!!!!

READ BETWEEN THE LINES SHEEPLE