I fell in love with birds as a boy, when gravity convinced me that I would never fly. Birds could, and I fell hard for them, spending most of my spare moments watching and wishing. Since those early days of feather fascination in my home state of South Carolina, I've traveled through much of this country, and a bit outside it, as a bird watcher and conservation and cultural ornithologist. I've even made a trip to the hallowed grounds of Central Park in the heart of Manhattan.
All the while, throngs of people passed by, oblivious to the three black men birding. People walked their leashed dogs within petting distance without incident. Nadir and Jeffrey are birding celebrities in the city and were stopped frequently by other birders—mostly white—who chatted happily about what was being seen and where and when.
After Christian pulled out dog treats, the woman, named Amy Cooper, rushed toward him and warned she would call the police. Christian calmly began filming the incident with his phone."I'm going to tell them there's an African-American man threatening my life," she said, insinuating that he would face the consequences because she is white and he is black.
But then, what happened to Christian wasn't as much about birding as it was about being black in America. The knowledge that some people hold enmity toward you simply because of the color of your skin is corrosive to the soul. Whether black people are watching birds, jogging through a neighborhood or sleeping in their own bed, the racist marrow within this country's bones is a constant threat. And it is now being exposed on social media.
In a video that has since gone viral, Amy Cooper called the police on Christian Cooper in Central Park.Although there are a few folks out there trying hard to improve the skewed numbers, birding is indeed one the whitest things a black person can do.
I’ll never forgive her and that’s me being the bigger person. I refuse to be the black person who condones this behavior by giving quick and premature forgiveness. Quick and premature forgiveness is the reason why this keeps happening. They know they will always be forgiven
2020 is the year I learned that not only is birding a thing but birding while black is as well.
A very meaningful and important story.
Give me a break. Mob rule is not the answer. Why can’t you admit that Christian started it and threatened her? They both behaved badly. She lost her dog and job and he’s became a martyr. Making him a martyr makes people who otherwise support your cause not care about it anymore.
Female privilege playing the victim
I hope that her dog finds a genuine person who loves it and takes good care of it. As for Amy...?
What’s your goal here? It’s suicide isn’t it? She’s been punished and will never pull that shit again. But you can’t let go because you are as bad as she is. Worse really since we know what end result you want.
Everytime I see this photo my blood boils. I am so sick and tired of these 'attempted murderers'. They know the cops love to shoot black men. That low down dirty trick to fain fear is beyond reprehensible. She is disgusting
I cannot wait for the day there is no distinction between birders and we can all enjoy life. Enough is enough
Has nothing to do with being a birder. You shouldn't forgive her for obvious reasons alone
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