A Lockdown Perspective, by David Lindo

2020 will no doubt go down as the year when the ebb and flow of the world was paused. And it is set to become one of those historical periods that, in years to come, gives rise to the inevitable question: where did you spend lockdown? However, 2020 will also be remembered for reasons other than the pandemic, ones just as unpleasant as Covid-19: for there were reminders of a profoundly unreasonable and unjustified inequality that still persists in our society, namely racism.

In case you, the reader, need reminding then just recall the altercation that befell Christian Cooper, a black birder threatened in New York’s Central Park by a female white dog walker; and the killing of George Floyd that sparked a tidal wave of reaction across the world. Although distant geographically, these injustices also impacted the space that we all inhabit: a world that, on the surface, is populated by binocular-clad people whose only wish is to enjoy life through the medium of observing nature.

During the time that racially-related stories were hitting the headlines, the narrative adopted by certain sectors of social media, and indeed the media in general, soon became one about the active racism to which ethnically-diverse people wishing to pursue birding are routinely subjected by white, middle-aged middle-class men. The vitriol was also turned against the main conservation NGOs with the key accusation being that they were institutionally racist for not having enough people of colour amongst their ranks. Claims were made that ethnically diverse people were prevented from getting involved with nature and birding due to inherent racism. There was a lot of anger, finger-pointing and rebuffs. I was asked for my thoughts by the media and various podcasts, and invited to participate in weighty online discussions. Initially I resisted these requests. I needed to work out what I really felt because I was not in total agreement with the general consensus.

The reason for my unease was the portrayed notion that if you step out in the field as a person of colour then racism and/or micro-aggression is sure to follow. I struggled with this view. It didn’t quite chime with my experience. Nature and birding have been my sanctuary for as long as I can remember but I can only recall one occasion of racism directed against me by a birder in all those decades. By contrast, other non-white birders seemed to be reporting it on a regular basis.

I thought about it for a long time, dredging up long-buried memories: being head-butted by a racist skinhead outside a club; being spat at; having bottles thrown in my direction; being threatened with violence; and of course, the daily name-calling. That was my experience and definition of racism growing up. The racism of today in Britain is different. It is insidious. Implied. Pretexted with a disclaimer. I don’t doubt that people have suffered some form of racism, sexism or any other form of ‘ism’ whilst birding. And I don’t want to belittle it. However, I think there is a bigger problem to address. In my view, the reason why people of colour are disproportionately under-represented in our world (in the context of the environment and conservation) is primarily due to how nature is ‘sold’ to them. Included in that mix is the general lack of natural history education, cultural differences and socio-demographic circumstances, that incidentally affect all people living in poorer areas regardless of their background. And then there’s the lack of appropriate role models. Media outlets - including and perhaps especially the BBC – continue to ‘sell’ nature to their audience as something almost abstract, located in the middle of nowhere and generally the preserve of white middle-aged middle-class male presenters, who often also live in the countryside. You only have to switch on the telly and watch a random nature- or countryside-related programme to see that.

*Our appreciation of nature, and indeed our awareness of the need for conservation, begins at home. Photos: main image ©Rob Read/Nature Photographers Ltd; inset David Lindo ©Susana Sanroman.*

There is no easy fix and as coverage of BLM issues once again fades, I will carry on trying to do my bit, until the next murder or wrongly-prosecuted black person hits the headlines. Nature is for everyone and it starts at all our doorsteps. We should all be encouraged to appreciate nature - especially those who live in urban areas. And following on from that, never forget that conservation begins at home - even if you live in the middle of the concrete jungle. We can all help to engender change that leads to a greater appreciation and understanding of our world. Indeed, it is our responsibility to do so.