Black Birders Week
{{short description|Campaign for diversity in birding, conservation, and the natural sciences}}
{{Infobox holiday
| type = environmental
| holiday_name = Black Birders Week
| image = File:NMAAHC Bird Walk.jpg
| significance = Increase the visibility of Black birders
| ends = First week of June
| date = Last week of May
| duration = 1 week
| frequency = Annual
}}
Black Birders Week is a week-long series of online events to highlight black nature enthusiasts and to increase the visibility of black birders, who face unique challenges and dangers when they are engaged in outdoor activities. The event was created as a response to the Central Park birdwatching incident and police brutality against Black Americans. The inaugural event ran from May 31 to June 5, 2020. The week of events was organized by a group of STEM professionals and students known as the BlackAFinSTEM Collective.{{Cite journal|last=O'Toole|first=Hillarie|date=Fall 2020|title=#BlackBirdersWeek: Listen, Learn, and Act|url=http://www.nycaudubon.org/images/UA_2020_03_Fall_WEB.pdf|journal=The Urban Audubon|volume=XLI|pages=8|via=}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Origin
Black Birders Week was announced on Twitter on May 29, 2020.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Coming to your screens May 31st - June 5th #BlackBirdersWeek organised by #BlackAFinSTEM|url=https://twitter.com/blackafinstem/status/1266349482846965761|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530121532/https://twitter.com/BlackAFinSTEM/status/1266349482846965761 |archive-date=2020-05-30 |access-date=June 4, 2020|website=Twitter|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Mock|first=Jillian|date=June 1, 2020|title='Black Birders Week' Promotes Diversity and Takes on Racism in the Outdoors|url=https://www.audubon.org/news/black-birders-week-promotes-diversity-and-takes-racism-outdoors|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603212822/https://www.audubon.org/news/black-birders-week-promotes-diversity-and-takes-racism-outdoors |archive-date=2020-06-03 |access-date=June 4, 2020|website=Audubon Magazine|language=en}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Sloat|first=Sarah|title=Black Birders Week responds to racism with a celebration of Black naturalists|url=https://www.inverse.com/science/black-birders-week|access-date=June 5, 2020|website=Inverse|date=2 June 2020 |language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Froelich|first=Paula|date=June 6, 2020|title=Viral video of Central Park 'Karen' Amy Cooper spawns #BlackBirdersWeek|url=https://nypost.com/2020/06/06/viral-video-of-central-park-karen-amy-cooper-spawns-blackbirdersweek/|access-date=June 7, 2020|website=New York Post|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Qaiser|first=Farah|date=June 2020|title=#BlackBirdersWeek highlights Black nature enthusiasts and scientists|url=https://massivesci.com/notes/black-birders-week-social-media-black-in-nature/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604052826/https://massivesci.com/notes/black-birders-week-social-media-black-in-nature/ |archive-date=2020-06-04 |access-date=June 5, 2020|website=Massive Science}} 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".{{Cite web|last=Willingham|first=AJ|date=3 June 2020|title=These Black nature lovers are busting stereotypes, one cool bird at a time|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/us/black-birders-week-black-in-stem-christian-cooper-scn-trnd/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603141536/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/us/black-birders-week-black-in-stem-christian-cooper-scn-trnd/index.html |archive-date=2020-06-03 |access-date=June 4, 2020|website=CNN}} 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.{{Cite magazine|last=Kormann|first=Carolyn|title=Corina Newsome and the Black Birders Movement|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/06/29/corina-newsome-and-the-black-birders-movement|access-date=2020-07-30|magazine=The New Yorker|date=19 June 2020 |language=en-us}}
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, Kassandra Ford, Armand Cann, Nicole Jackson, Corina Newsome and Tykee James.{{Cite web|title=What is #BlackBirdersWeek and why does it matter|url=https://www.earthtouchnews.com/natural-world/natural-world/what-is-blackbirdersweek-and-why-does-it-matter|access-date=June 7, 2020|publisher=Earth Touch News Network|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=BlackAFinSTEM|url=https://twitter.com/blackafinstem|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605203740/https://twitter.com/blackafinstem |archive-date=2020-06-05 |access-date=June 4, 2020|website=Twitter|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Kutz|first=Cat|date=|title=#BlackBirdersWeek: Celebrating and Encouraging Diversity in Conservation|url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/conservation-commons/2020/06/04/blackbirdersweek-celebrating-and-encouraging-diversity-conservation/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605123306/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/conservation-commons/2020/06/04/blackbirdersweek-celebrating-and-encouraging-diversity-conservation/ |archive-date=2020-06-05 |access-date=June 5, 2020|website=www.smithsonianmag.com|publisher=Smithsonian Magazine|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Lambert|first=Jonathan|date=June 4, 2020|title=A #BlackBirdersWeek cofounder aims to amplify black nature enthusiasts|url=https://www.sciencenews.org/article/blackbirdersweek-birding-while-black-nature-enthusiasts|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604191058/https://www.sciencenews.org/article/blackbirdersweek-birding-while-black-nature-enthusiasts |archive-date=2020-06-04 |access-date=June 7, 2020|website=Science News|language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=International |first=Living on Earth / World Media Foundation / Public Radio |title=Living on Earth: #BlackBirdersWeek |url=https://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=20-P13-00023&segmentID=1), |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=Living on Earth |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Berman |first=Ali |date=2020-06-29 |title=Reflections from Black Birders Week: Birding, Racism, and Inclusion in the Outdoors |url=https://audubonportland.org/blog/reflections-from-black-birders-week-birding-racism-and-inclusion-in-the-outdoors/ |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=Portland Audubon |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-03-30 |title=Nicole Jackson {{!}} Bird Academy • The Cornell Lab |url=https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/person/nicole-jackson/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=academy.allaboutbirds.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Hou |first=Kathleen |date=2020-06-04 |title=Black Birding Is About Hope |url=https://www.thecut.com/2020/06/interview-corina-newsome-co-organizer-of-black-birders-week.html |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=The Cut |language=en}}
History
The first event series ran in 2020 from May 31 to June 5 using the #BlackBirdersWeek hashtag on Twitter and Instagram. Through these events and others, the series highlighted research carried out by Black birders, the happiness they find in nature, the racism experienced, and the importance of inclusivity in the outdoors.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Andrea |title=Black Birders Call Out Racism, Say Nature Should Be For Everyone |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/black-birders-call-out-racism-say-nature-should-be-for-everyone/ |access-date=June 5, 2020 |website=Scientific American |language=en}} Furthermore, the series drew attention to several Black birders and naturalists, including Birds of North America{{'s}} host Jason Ward, wildlife biologist J. Drew Lanham, wildlife conservationist Corina Newsome, National Audubon Society's government affairs coordinator Tykee James, and herpetologist Earyn McGee.{{Cite web |date=5 June 2020 |title=Black birders week |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/06/05/black-birders-week |access-date=June 7, 2020 |website=insidehighered.com}}{{Cite web |date=5 June 2020 |title=Black Birdwatchers Face Racism Too |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/usa_black-birdwatchers-face-racism-too/6190579.html |access-date=June 7, 2020 |work=Voice of America |language=en}} The series was endorsed and promoted by advocacy groups, conservation organizations, and government agencies including: the National Audubon Society,{{Cite web |last=Mock |first=Jillian |date=June 1, 2020 |title='Black Birders Week' Promotes Diversity and Takes on Racism in the Outdoors |url=https://www.audubon.org/news/black-birders-week-promotes-diversity-and-takes-racism-outdoors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603212822/https://www.audubon.org/news/black-birders-week-promotes-diversity-and-takes-racism-outdoors |archive-date=2020-06-03 |access-date=June 4, 2020 |website=Audubon Magazine |language=en}} the American Birding Association,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=This is an amazing initiative. Please follow, support, and spread the word about #BlackBirdersWeek. |url=https://twitter.com/aba/status/1266345614150897664 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529202316/https://twitter.com/ABA/status/1266345614150897664 |archive-date=2020-05-29 |access-date=June 4, 2020 |website=Twitter |language=en}} the American Bird Conservancy,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=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. |url=https://twitter.com/abcbirds/status/1268542004088188933 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604141448/https://twitter.com/ABCbirds/status/1268542004088188933 |archive-date=2020-06-04 |access-date=June 4, 2020 |website=Twitter |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Mendenhall |first=Matt |date=2020-06-03 |title=#BlackBirdersWeek Aims to Raise Awareness, Grow Community |url=https://abcbirds.org/blog20/blackbirdersweek/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613153624/https://abcbirds.org/blog20/blackbirdersweek/ |archive-date=2020-06-13 |access-date=2020-06-13 |website=American Bird Conservancy |language=en}} the US National Park Service,{{Cite web |last=Willingham |first=AJ |date=3 June 2020 |title=These Black nature lovers are busting stereotypes, one cool bird at a time |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/us/black-birders-week-black-in-stem-christian-cooper-scn-trnd/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603141536/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/us/black-birders-week-black-in-stem-christian-cooper-scn-trnd/index.html |archive-date=2020-06-03 |access-date=June 4, 2020 |website=CNN}} and the Ecological Society of America.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=It's #BlackBirdersWeek and today's Q&A day! |url=https://twitter.com/ESA_org/status/1267852474884304898 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602233656/https://twitter.com/ESA_org/status/1267852474884304898 |archive-date=2020-06-02 |access-date=June 5, 2020 |website=Twitter |language=en}} Additionally, it garnered attention from various science and mainstream media outlets.
File:Portrait of ornithologist and science communicator Corina Newsome with Tony, a Hyacinth Macaw.jpg with Tony, a hyacinth macaw, in 2017]]
In 2021, the week was continued.{{Cite web |date=30 May 2021 |title=Black Birders Week 2021 Schedule |url=https://www.blackafinstem.com/bbw2021schedule |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=Black AF In STEM |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-05-28 |title=Black Birders Week {{!}} BirdNote |url=https://www.birdnote.org/black-birders-week |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=www.birdnote.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Black Birders Week 2021 |url=https://www.audubon.org/black-birders-week |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716000823/https://www.audubon.org/black-birders-week |archive-date=2021-07-16 |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=Audubon |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Tamisiea |first=Jack |date=4 May 2022 |title=Celebrate Black Birders Week and More Natural History Programs This May |url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-of-natural-history/2022/05/04/celebrate-black-birders-week-and-more-natural-history-programs-this-may/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=www.smithsonianmag.com |language=en}} 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.
Both institutions continued holding Black Birders Week events in 2023.{{cite web |year=2023 |title=Black Birders Week STEM Day 2023 |url=https://nmaahc.si.edu/events/black-birders-week-stem-day-2023 |website=National Museum of African American History and Culture |access-date=April 16, 2024 |language=en}} In New Hampshire, for example, the event continued previous years' focuses on nature awareness, accessibility, and equity.{{cite news |last1=Barndollar |first1=Hadley |title=NH marks Black Birders Week, and organizers aim to educate about lived experiences |url=https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2023-05-30/nh-marks-black-birders-week-and-organizers-aim-to-educate-about-lived-experiences |access-date=April 16, 2024 |work=New Hampshire Public Radio |date=May 30, 2023 |language=en}} Events continued in 2024.{{Cite news|first=Tom|last=Bayles|date=2024-05-28 |title=Black Birders Week exploring culture, community, environment |url=https://www.wusf.org/arts-culture/2024-05-28/black-birders-week-exploring-culture-community-environment |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=WUSF |language=en}}
Response
In response to the 2020 series, the National Wildlife Federation planned to dedicate part of their Conservation Fellowship and Intern Programs{{Cite web|title=Fellowships - EcoLeaders|url=https://www.nwf.org/Home/EcoLeaders/Get-Involved/Fellowships|access-date=2020-06-07|website=National Wildlife Federation|language=en}} to young biologists of color.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=#BecauseOfBlackBirdersWeek, the National Wildlife Federation is expanding its Conservation Fellowship|url=https://twitter.com/nwf/status/1269402086493618177|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607054324/https://twitter.com/NWF/status/1269402086493618177 |archive-date=2020-06-07 |access-date=2020-06-07|website=Twitter|language=en}} The organisers intend to continue the series in future years. The event also inspired other similar week-long events celebrating Black people in various STEM fields, #BlackInAstro week, #BlackBotanistsWeek, #BlackInNeuro, and #BlackInChem.{{Cite web|title=Black In Neuro Week is coming to a timeline near you |publisher=The British Neuroscience Association|url=https://www.bna.org.uk/mediacentre/news/blackinneuroweek/|access-date=2020-07-29}}{{Cite web|last=Mallenbaum|first=Carly|title=#BlackBirdersWeek, #BlackInNeuro: Black scientists, physicians are using hashtags to uplift|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2020/08/04/blackinneuro-blackinchem-can-hashtags-help-black-scientists-build-community-spotlight-excellence/5541431002/|access-date=2020-08-05|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.facebook.com/NationalAudubonSociety/videos/599256750697358/ Birding While Black: A Candid Conversation - Session 1] and [https://www.facebook.com/NationalAudubonSociety/videos/250698879684486/ Session 2], organized as part of the 2020 Black Birders Week
{{Black Lives Matter}}
Category:2020 establishments in New York City
Category:Anti-racism in the United States
Category:Awareness weeks in the United States
Category:Environmental organizations based in the United States