The US Ornithological Society is currently looking for new names for 80 bird species. The reason: your current ones are racist.
A certain Mr. Bachman discovered the pine bunting, so the bird was named after him in English. But the man was considered a supporter of slavery. His name has a negative connotation and the animals should not be associated with it in the future. That’s why the US Society for Ornithology has set itself the goal of finding a new name for 80 bird species. They were all originally named after racist explorers.
More than 1000 German names changed
This development is not new. In German-speaking countries, names such as gypsy bird and Hottentot duck were discussed (see video above). In total, more than 1,000 German bird names have already been changed because they were classified as discriminatory or racist.
An example is the African Shoveler, whose infamous name comes from colonial times and refers to ‘second class people’ in Namibia and South Africa. Today she is called Spotted Duck. The duck’s breast and belly are dotted with spots of different sizes.
“Names have power, and power can be used for good or for evil,” said Colleen Handel, president of the American society. The animals themselves probably don’t care what their names are.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
