The move by the 117\u002Dyear\u002Dold Seattle Audubon Society is part of an anti\u002Dracism reckoning in birding and the broader conservation movement
In a virtual meeting with members Tuesday, Seattle Audubon leaders described the action as a bold move to be among the first to change its name to promote “anti-racism,” diversity and inclusion — and perhaps set an example for the 117-year-old society’s more than 450 chapters to follow. The chapter’s resolution to make the change was approved weeks ago by a 9-0 vote.
Audubon, an accomplished illustrator of American birds, stands out as one of the most recognized names in conservation. He had been dead for about 45 years when in 1896, two Massachusetts women created a society to protect endangered egrets. They named it in Audubon’s honor, with little regard to his more troubling past. Now, the organizations it spawned are weighing his entire history.
Another group, the Audubon Naturalist Society in Chevy Chase, Md., is expected to complete its renaming process in October. Its executive director, Lisa Alexander, said last year that the society has considered a name change since 2010. In 2020, the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer pushed the issue to the top of the group’s agenda.Article content
Even in liberal Seattle, there was resistance during this week’s virtual call. While most members praised the move, saying they were proud to be a part of an organization that was taking such a bold step, a few strongly took issue with it.Article content Audubon was an unabashed enslaver. When Britain emancipated enslaved people in the West Indies, he wrote to his wife in 1834 that the government “acted imprudently and too precipitously,” Gregory Nobles wrote in Audubon Magazine. It was not out of character for a man who 15 years earlier “took two enslaved men with him down the Mississippi to New Orleans on a skiff, and when he got there, he put the boat and the men up for sale.”Article contentArtist and Naturalist John James Audubon.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canada's spy agency ditches job ads after mixed reviews from focus groupsCanada\u0027s cyberspy agency has changed course on proposed recruitment efforts after focus groups found job ads had a \u0022Big Brother vibe.\u0022
Read more »
Canada's spy agency ditches job ads after mixed reviews from focus groupsCanada\u0027s cyberspy agency has changed course on proposed recruitment efforts after focus groups found job ads had a \u0022Big Brother vibe.\u0022
Read more »
Seattle to be sanctuary for abortion providers, patientsSeattle City Council votes to make city sanctuary for abortion patients, providers
Read more »
Seattle Kraken bring back Ryan Donato on one-year contract - Daily FaceoffDonato, 26, finished fourth on the inaugural Kraken with 16 goals in 74 games.
Read more »
Sport Canada reveals itself to be a powerless federal ATM for athletic activity, little moreYes, it determines the cash increments the machine spits out — that is, which national sports organizations get how much — but now we know it can’t even do…
Read more »