Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Many insect, animal names are racist, scholars say — so it's time for a change ... No more slave-maker ants? Gypsy moths?
https://www.theblaze.com ^ | August 03, 2020 | SARAH TAYLOR

Posted on 06/30/2021 10:48:22 AM PDT by Red Badger

Some scholars aren't happy with the "problematic" insect and animal names, and are calling for a large-scale reform.

What are people saying about this? "There is no room for racism in science," University of Arizona Ph.D. candidate Earyn McGee — one of the scholars calling for reform — tells The College Fix in a statement.

McGee, also a herpetologist, also says that she is firmly against honoring "racist people or racial slurs by naming animals after them."

McGee adds she has high hopes for a new name for the Yarrow's Spiny Lizard — since celebrated ornithologist and herpetologist H.C. Yarrow was a Union soldier during the Civil War as well as a eugenicist.

"There is no amount of scientific contributions that can make unabashed racism and bigotry OK," she adds.

She insists that while some questionable people have, indeed, made scientific contributions, their names and discoveries should be discussed with full disclosure into their past actions.

"If you must acknowledge them, you can say something like 'X person discovered X thing, however it is important to note they also did this bigoted thing and that type of behavior is unacceptable for scientists," she said.

'Gypsy moths,' 'Faggotworms,' 'Yarrow's Spiny Lizard' The organization reports that some of the more concerning names include the slave-maker ant, the rape bug, the gypsy moth, and even more.

The Fix points out that in July, the American Association for the Advancement of Science shared a comprehensive list featuring at least 60 names that scholars say should be changed to something more inclusive and less offensive.

One questionable term is "hottentot" — or its Latin form, "hottentatus" — as the report's authors insist it is a "racial slur used by white people, directed toward indigenous Africans during apartheid."

The setophaga townsendi — or the Townsend's Warbler, a bird — is also problematic because "[Ornithologist] John Townsend was terrible."

The Fix points out that the name is especially nefarious, as Townsend studied bird species in Oregon, and would often "rely on Native Americans to capture his specimens."

"During his studies," the outlet continued, "he would describe cultural differences and steal skulls from Indian graves."

Other offending names include the Large Faggotworm, though its name is derived from "its definition as a bundle of sticks or twigs bound together as fuel."

You can read some of the names and why they are offensive in the graphics below.



TOPICS: Gardening; History; Pets/Animals; Society
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-54 next last

1 posted on 06/30/2021 10:48:22 AM PDT by Red Badger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

What race are ants?


2 posted on 06/30/2021 10:52:11 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (Lean on Joe Biden to follow Donald Trump's example and donate his annual salary to charity.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

These are not scientists but political operatives.

They also promote to prominence the very people they are condemning. No one would know who Yarrow is, for example. It is now just a name for a lizard.

This is cultural revolution. Not done for a real or sincere purpose but to destroy and gain power. A revolution that never ends.


3 posted on 06/30/2021 10:53:15 AM PDT by ifinnegan ( Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

“Faggot Case Moth” is a good one.


4 posted on 06/30/2021 10:54:02 AM PDT by PGR88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

A Snowy Egret should be renamed to a Cream Abdul Jabber Egret?


5 posted on 06/30/2021 10:55:31 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

The word “mate” is sexist as it means “fellow male” in some countries like Australia and implies coupling where the man dominates.

So they should call it “cli-otherperson change.”

Remember, these are same people who think woman is derived from the word “man” instead of “menos” for the moon.


6 posted on 06/30/2021 10:57:34 AM PDT by freedumb2003 (The left does not want dialogue; it wants compliance.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

15 down - 899,999,985 to go!

Get cracking progs!


7 posted on 06/30/2021 11:00:11 AM PDT by freedumb2003 (The left does not want dialogue; it wants compliance.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

When a society gets so “comfortable” and assumes plenty is entitled, they tend to focus on ridiculous areas, inventing “problems” for them to solve in their comfort.

This is a segment of society in the decline, tending towards irrelevance. This is the condition of the so-called “liberal arts elite”.


8 posted on 06/30/2021 11:01:25 AM PDT by Redleg Duke (Where are all the Biden voters, proudly praising his accomplishments?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

The black panther will henceforth be known as the hep cat.


9 posted on 06/30/2021 11:01:35 AM PDT by SoCal Pubbie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

So is dung beetle still ok?


10 posted on 06/30/2021 11:02:09 AM PDT by rfreedom4u ("You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Charlton Heston said it best .. "It's a mad house!"
11 posted on 06/30/2021 11:02:24 AM PDT by The Duke (Search for 'Sydney Ducks' and understand what is needed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
"There is no room for racism in science," University of Arizona Ph.D. candidate Earyn McGee

There's no room to conduct science if you're a race obsessed snowflake. If she has this much time on her hands then she's clearly not doing any research and should lose any grants/funding.

12 posted on 06/30/2021 11:03:40 AM PDT by Sirius Lee (They intend to murder us. Prep if you want to live and live like you are prepping for eternal life)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

How do you say Fn idiot.


13 posted on 06/30/2021 11:04:27 AM PDT by seabeeson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

These people are, of course, insane. But because there is never any push-back, there’s no stopping them. The will continue until pretty much every English word is deemed to be racist.

Maybe they’ll be happier if every word was replaced by a unique, random set of numbers.

So “Gypsy moth“ would become, say, 47 82 97 34 49.

See, it’s easy! And since numbers were invented by the Arabs, there’s no white person association here.


14 posted on 06/30/2021 11:04:45 AM PDT by Leaning Right (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ifinnegan

This stuff is starting to sound like the Puritans back in the 1600’s....


15 posted on 06/30/2021 11:06:34 AM PDT by JBW1949 (I'm really PC.....Patriotically Correct)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
So I guess, this song is now racist:

I'm a King Bee -- Slim Harpo

16 posted on 06/30/2021 11:07:46 AM PDT by Michael.SF. (Never do anything illegal, when you are doing something illegal. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Universities are producing too many NUTS


17 posted on 06/30/2021 11:08:35 AM PDT by goodnesswins (The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution." -- Saul Alinksy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Redleg Duke
The Rise and Fall of the Roman American Empire.
18 posted on 06/30/2021 11:08:37 AM PDT by Signalman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: JBW1949

Only, the Puritans were more fun-loving than this lot.


19 posted on 06/30/2021 11:09:05 AM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four Fried Chickens and a Coke)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: goodnesswins

No wonder there are so many squirrels on college campi.....................


20 posted on 06/30/2021 11:09:37 AM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-54 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson