Racism in American Zoos: a thread

Much of this is going to structural and generalized. I’m not interested in calling anyone out in particular, but am identifying areas of growth.

If zoos are interested in reducing racial bias here are some starting points.

To start things off: In the 7 years I have been in this field I have worked directly with fewer than 5 other black people in Education and Animal Departments.

The lack of diversity comes from internal policies and culture that excludes out-groups and this drives and sustains bigoted policies and culture.

Since the protests grew earlier this year many zoos put out dead-eyed statements declaring Black Lives Matter.

But do they? To you?

Many, if not most, large zoos drug test potential employees. Why?

There’s little to no scientific data that supports the idea that this helps a facility get better candidates.

It also doesn’t prevent accidents or determine the source of accidents.

Instead, this policy is a continuation of a racist federal policy created by the Nixon administration which targeted Black and Indigenous people and leftists and zoos further this tradition.

If zoos were interested in determining if drugs are involved in accidents they would move towards on the spot salivary testing (rather than urinalysis) after an accident based on observation (did the employee appear to be under the inf)

American Zoos require free labor from those seeking to obtain prestige positions.

Potential zoo keepers and educators must offer an uncompensated 30-40 hours a week for 3-12 months (depending on how many internships you do).

Before one can get hired many zoos require “working interviews” where you come see the facility. Rarely are these travel and labor expenses compensated.

The end result of this, of course is a sub living wage and minor job security.

Subtle racism persists in the daily language within these institutions.

This racism exist on the level of the casual vernacular and institutional verbiage.

Causal language include the rampant use of “ghetto”, mockery of nonwhite guests, Black-voice, and the promotion of racist urban legends

Institutional language includes, but is not limited to:
- the promotion of paternalistic western conservation
- the erasure of the survivors of indigenous genocides & the immense work they are doing w minimal resources
- homogenized caricatures of non-whites

Conservation messaging promotes globalized racism by failing to acknowledge the role of W governance, policy, capitalism, and the direct impact of wealthy white/Europeans in climate change; choosing instead to generalize the source of damage to the “overpopulated” masses.

When exhibits are designed nonwhite experts are rarely tapped for consultation through the design process and google image search reigns supreme.

This leads to flat, lifeless caricatures of indigenous cultures across the west and global south.

The list is long and I have run out of energy. I implore managers, curators, VPs, CEOs, Board members to be brave and do better.

Until zoos within and outside the @zoos_aquariums tackle this we will continue to see losses and failed outreach.