Black Birders Week
Black Birders Week | |
---|---|
Type | Environmental |
Significance | Increase the visibility of Black birders |
Ends | First week of June |
Date | Last week of May |
Frequency | Annual |
Black Birders Week is a week-long series of online events to highlight black
Origin
Black Birders Week was announced on Twitter on May 29, 2020.[3][1] The initiative was prompted in part by the Central Park birdwatching incident and the murders of African Americans such as Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd.[4][5][6] According to co-founder Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, the goal of the initiative is "normalizing the fact that Black people exist in the birding and natural sciences community".[7] Black people have historically been excluded from academic and professional spaces and lack visibility and representation in the natural sciences community and among birders in particular.[7][8]
The week-long event was conceived and organized by members of a group of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals and students known as BlackAFinSTEM collective. In addition to Opoku-Agyeman, other co-founders include Jason Ward, Sheridan Alford, Danielle Belleny, Chelsea Connor, Joseph Saunders, and Tykee James.[9][10][11][12][13][14]
History
The first event series ran in 2020 from May 31 to June 5 using the #BlackBirdersWeek
In 2021, the week was continued.[24][25][26]
In 2022, Black Birders Week was continued. The Smithsonian Institution hosted several programs to support the week's effort to increasing representation in bird watching communities.[27] The National Museum of Natural History hosted a panel with Chelsea Connor, Lynette Strickland and Amelia-Juliette Demery with opening remarks by Dara M. Wilson.[27] Both institutions continued holding Black Birders Week events in 2023.[28] In New Hampshire, for example, the event continued previous years' focuses on nature awareness, accessibility, and equity.[29]
Response
In response to the 2020 series, the National Wildlife Federation planned to dedicate part of their Conservation Fellowship and Intern Programs[30] to young biologists of color.[31] The organisers intend to continue the series in future years.[4] The event also inspired other similar week-long events celebrating Black people in various STEM fields, #BlackInAstro week, #BlackBotanistsWeek, #BlackInNeuro, and #BlackInChem.[32][33]
References
- ^ a b Mock, Jillian (June 1, 2020). "'Black Birders Week' Promotes Diversity and Takes on Racism in the Outdoors". Audubon Magazine. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ O'Toole, Hillarie (Fall 2020). "#BlackBirdersWeek: Listen, Learn, and Act" (PDF). The Urban Audubon. XLI: 8.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Coming to your screens May 31st - June 5th #BlackBirdersWeek organised by #BlackAFinSTEM". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2020-05-30. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ a b Sloat, Sarah (2 June 2020). "Black Birders Week responds to racism with a celebration of Black naturalists". Inverse. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- ^ Froelich, Paula (June 6, 2020). "Viral video of Central Park 'Karen' Amy Cooper spawns #BlackBirdersWeek". New York Post. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ Qaiser, Farah (June 2020). "#BlackBirdersWeek highlights Black nature enthusiasts and scientists". Massive Science. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- ^ a b Willingham, AJ (3 June 2020). "These Black nature lovers are busting stereotypes, one cool bird at a time". CNN. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Kormann, Carolyn (19 June 2020). "Corina Newsome and the Black Birders Movement". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
- ^ "What is #BlackBirdersWeek and why does it matter". Earth Touch News Network. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ "BlackAFinSTEM". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2020-06-05. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Kutz, Cat. "#BlackBirdersWeek: Celebrating and Encouraging Diversity in Conservation". www.smithsonianmag.com. Smithsonian Magazine. Archived from the original on 2020-06-05. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- ^ Lambert, Jonathan (June 4, 2020). "A #BlackBirdersWeek cofounder aims to amplify black nature enthusiasts". Science News. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ International, Living on Earth / World Media Foundation / Public Radio. "Living on Earth: #BlackBirdersWeek". Living on Earth. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
- ^ Berman, Ali (2020-06-29). "Reflections from Black Birders Week: Birding, Racism, and Inclusion in the Outdoors". Portland Audubon. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
- ^ Thompson, Andrea. "Black Birders Call Out Racism, Say Nature Should Be For Everyone". Scientific American. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- ^ "Black birders week". insidehighered.com. 5 June 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ "Black Birdwatchers Face Racism Too". Voice of America. 5 June 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ Mock, Jillian (June 1, 2020). "'Black Birders Week' Promotes Diversity and Takes on Racism in the Outdoors". Audubon Magazine. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "This is an amazing initiative. Please follow, support, and spread the word about #BlackBirdersWeek". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2020-05-29. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "American Bird Conservancy is proudly supporting the inaugural #BlackBirdersWeek this week. It's not too late to follow the hashtags to celebrate and support the diversity of all those who enjoy birds". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Mendenhall, Matt (2020-06-03). "#BlackBirdersWeek Aims to Raise Awareness, Grow Community". American Bird Conservancy. Archived from the original on 2020-06-13. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Willingham, AJ (3 June 2020). "These Black nature lovers are busting stereotypes, one cool bird at a time". CNN. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "It's #BlackBirdersWeek and today's Q&A day!". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2020-06-02. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- ^ "Black Birders Week 2021 Schedule". Black AF In STEM. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
- ^ "Black Birders Week | BirdNote". www.birdnote.org. 2021-05-28. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
- ^ "Black Birders Week 2021". Audubon. Archived from the original on 2021-07-16. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
- ^ a b Tamisiea, Jack (4 May 2022). "Celebrate Black Birders Week and More Natural History Programs This May". www.smithsonianmag.com. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
- ^ "Black Birders Week STEM Day 2023". National Museum of African American History and Culture. 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ Barndollar, Hadley (May 30, 2023). "NH marks Black Birders Week, and organizers aim to educate about lived experiences". New Hampshire Public Radio. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Fellowships - EcoLeaders". National Wildlife Federation. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
- ^ "#BecauseOfBlackBirdersWeek, the National Wildlife Federation is expanding its Conservation Fellowship". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2020-06-07. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
- ^ "Black In Neuro Week is coming to a timeline near you". The British Neuroscience Association. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
- ^ Mallenbaum, Carly. "#BlackBirdersWeek, #BlackInNeuro: Black scientists, physicians are using hashtags to uplift". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
External links
- Birding While Black: A Candid Conversation - Session 1 and Session 2, organized as part of the 2020 Black Birders Week