plewde help with response 300-400 words For Monday read: J. Drew Lanham:

https://lithub.com/birding-while-black/

https://orionmagazine.org/article/9-rules-for-the-black-birdwatcher/

More on Drew: this great StoryCorp short animated film https://storycorps.org/animation/learning-to-fly/

2.  For 4/14 class: Watch The Cove (film). It is on Amazon Prime and here for free: https://vimeo.com/373074105

Reply:

Michael Giacchetto

Week 11

COLLAPSE

In “9 Rules for a Black Birdwatcher” by Drew Lanaham explains how birdwatching is an exclusively white hobby and how the issue of Racial profiling is a major problem that black birdwatchers must face every day. Drew Lanaham is not only a well-known birdwatcher, but also is a widely published author, and award-nominated poet and has a PHD in zoology and ecology. He is a man who deserves respect and is well established in birdwatching. Reading this it is truly heartbreaking as he opens to the prejudice he faces while birdwatching, he describes how he is constantly targeted, asked for identification sometimes maybe even 3 forms, and is seen as a threat to authorities. This is extremely disrespectful for a man of his being and would not happen to him if he were white.

The cove film is a great documentary that shows that marine life does not deserve to be held in captivity and exposes the deadly secret hidden at the cove in Taiji Japan, were over 23,000 dolphins are killed each year by Japanese fishers. This film also exposes the Japanese fishing and whaling industry that is still going on to this day, and the extent these governments and industries to protect these fishermen's actions and cover up what is going on. Richard O’Barry an american animal rights activist has spent his life trying to expose the issue of marine life being held in captivity, and the slaughter of dolphins that are occurring in Japan at the cove. Berry has been arrested multiple times for freeing dolphins back into the ocean. Berry explains how dolphins are simply not meant to be held in captivity, because they need more space to swim, and are extremely stressed out being held in captivity Another problem that stood out to be was the mercury exposure in the dolphin meat, and how the government knowingly knows this exposure to mercury and still hides this from the public.

Cesar Sanchez

Week 11 Discussion

COLLAPSE

In the film The Cove by Louie Psihoyos and J. Drew Lanham’s article “9 Rules for the Black Birdwatcher” we encounter a film and an article that shows us humanities continues indifference towards other living being on issues that have plagued humans for many years. These issues such as segregation, environmental racism, and the destruction of other living beings have reached disheartening levels and show us many of the mistakes we as humans continue to commit on a world that is being transformed and changed by every action and decision we take.

In the film The Cove, we encounter the unregulated destruction and exploitation of a marine species that has been used as a commodity by all humans beings throughout the world for the purpose of enrichment, entertainment, and pest control. In this film, we encounter our continues failure as humans to understand the sacred connection between other species and the world around us. And how we who are capable of intellect beyond all the other species, are still unable to understand the impact that we have on these defenseless creatures, who have been shown to possess self-awareness and intellect. An example of this is seen in Psihoyos film The Cove where Ric O’Barry states, “Kathy would watch herself on television and she could tell the difference between herself and Susie who is another Flipper dolphin that was used. I knew then they were self-aware and when you become conscious of this non-human intelligence, you realize they don’t really belong in captivity.” (Psihoyos 11:15-11:37) This statement by O’Barry shows us in a few word the illusion we are living on, as we keep thinking that all creatures that we are taking for granted are not capable of the same suffering and torment that we put upon them. Something that is a fallacy we create to justify our own actions in destroying other species and the world they share with us. And how if we as humans don’t intervene in fixing these mistakes, we will one day wake up in a world that is only consumed by human interest rather then the interest of the world as a whole.

Finally, in J. Drew Lanham’s article we delve into an issue that goes beyond the care for the environment but into the problems of segregation that still exist against many minorities who only wish to enjoy the environment the same way other people who are born with the perfect white and light skin are able to enjoy. Showing us the cruel realities of our everyday life where we are still plagued by segregation and racism towards other beings whose only difference lies on the pigment of their skin and yet are still viewed as aliens and intruder in a world where they share an appearance that others are unable to accept as equal. These problems described By Langham show us an ignorant society who is more concerned with the observation of a bird and its feathers, then the people they are harming by secluding them and pushing them away from the same things others are able to enjoy every day, without any danger or assault on their person or wellbeing. An example of this is seen in Lanham’s article where he states, “You known all the black birders like siblings and can count them on two hands. You’re afraid to have lunch with them all because a single catastrophe could wipe the species from the face of the earth.” (Lanham, line 38-41) This statement by Lanham shows us a reality that we still live in today. Where people of different skin color other than our own are seen as intruders and perpetrators to the things that this world has created without designation of ownership to anyone.

Samantha Valle

Week 11

COLLAPSE

“9 Rules for the Black Birdwatcher” by Drew Lanham shows us the harsh realities of this world as he describes the prejudices black birdwatchers face in this society. He describes the things any birdwatcher may do and how if you’re black the same actions will be misconstrued into something else. For example in rule 4 he talks about nocturnal birdwatching, something that is done by many birdwatchers especially if trying to see a specific bird that only comes out at night, but is impossible for a person of color to do because they will have “prolonged conversations with the authorities”. What I also noticed in this piece by Drew Lanham is the way he talks about his fellow black birdwatchers. Almost as if they are not human but animals. For example in rule 9 titled “you’re an endangered species -extinction looms” he says “You know all the black birders like siblings and can count them on two hands. You’re afraid to have lunch with them all because a single catastrophe could wipe the species from the face of the earth.” He talks about fellow black birdwatchers as if they are animals that could be killed off at any moment which I think this makes it hit harder for the readers. It puts into perspective how people of color feel experiencing these prejudices in a field of interest they should be allowed to enjoy without any fears. Lanham sometimes didn’t even need to say much to get the point across. For example rule 3 “Don’t bird in a hoodie. Ever.” A short line but also a powerful one. I think Drew Lanham painted the picture for his audience in a way that they could understand even if they are not a person of color themselves. I really enjoy topics like this especially during a time where racial injustices are at an all time high because it puts things in a perspective I can understand educates people like me on the racial injustices happening in today's society.