Thank you Steve!

Denise Bolton

White woman well over the 65 limit.

On Tue, Jun 25, 2024, 7:13 AM Kevin Lucas via Tweeters <
tweeters at u.washington.edu> wrote:


> Steve,

> Thank you very much.

> Sincerely,

> Kevin Lucas -- A white male not yet over the 65 year old threshold, in

> Yakima County, WA

> *Qui tacet consentire videtur*

>

>

> On Tue, Jun 25, 2024 at 6:37 AM Steve Hampton via Tweeters <

> tweeters at u.washington.edu> wrote:

>

>> In the absence of any intervention by a Tweeters administrator, I will

>> reply.

>>

>> These posts against proposed bird name changes - usually with incorrect

>> information and speculation regarding scope, costs and benefits, and other

>> aspects - are inappropriate here and do harm to the birding community and

>> the use of Tweeters as representative of the birding community.

>>

>> Without trying to convince anyone why bird names (and organization names)

>> matter, I'll point out that they seem to matter to a lot of people.

>> Regardless of the rationale, there are three basic facts about this issue:

>>

>> 1) The demographic breakdown on this issue is stark. Most younger people

>> and people of color support the changes. Nearly all of the opposition comes

>> from white people over 65. This tells me, from a diversity, equity, and

>> inclusion perspective, there is a "there" there. We should pay attention to

>> why this is.

>>

>> 2) Due to historical biases and discrimination in opportunities and

>> privileges, the former group are the exact same demographics that are

>> under-represented in birding; and the latter are far more likely to be

>> today's field trip leaders, esteemed ornithologists, and conservation

>> organization leaders. This is evident and much has been written about it.

>>

>> 3) Having the latter group publicly dismiss the former group (on any

>> issue) is both insensitive and reckless when it comes to the future of

>> birding. Using Tweeters as a safe space for the latter group to openly

>> gripe and plan opposition is "gatekeeping" - public actions that preserve

>> the status quo and drive certain newcomers away. Intentions don't matter

>> here; impacts do. This is why so many younger people and people of color do

>> not participate in Tweeters, certain other social media groups, many

>> birding organizations, and their field trips.

>>

>> I'm dubious anyone will learn from this post, or be inspired to learn

>> more. And I'm dubious about my continued participation in Tweeters.

>>

>> I do wish everyone good birding,

>>

>>

>> --

>> Steve Hampton

>> Port Townsend, WA (qatáy)

>>

>>

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