Harambe. I know you've heard the name, and if you haven't, you quite likely either: a) have been living under a rock or b) are oblivious to the conversations being had around you. So what's the deal with this Harambe anyway? To fill in those who do not know, Harambe is the gorilla that was shot May 28, 2016, when a child "fell/climbed" into the gorilla's display at the Cincinnati Zoo. People became outraged at the fact that an innocent gorilla was shot and killed as a precautionary action to ensure the child would not be injured. In a matter of hours, social media blew up with different variations of hashtags insinuating "justice for Harambe." What left some onlookers confused is that animals get killed every day in different capacities, so why was Harambe more important?
To many, Harambe resembles so much more than an animal. Harambe resembles the injustice of innocent things getting shot in today's society. Many felt as though the zoo was in the wrong for following protocol to shoot Harambe when the child had gotten inside the gorilla's habitat. Even though Harambe was not at fault and was just roaming about his enclosure, he was shot because of the error of the human. People then began to debate parental faults, such as why the parent was not watching the child when the child entered the gorilla enclosure, and so on. Zoos have always been under controversy by animal activists and a range of other groups, but the death of Harambe sparked a whole different take on zoos controversy.
However, now, three months later, there is less discussion on the issues surrounding Harambe's death, to instead flat-out adoration of Harambe. From giant blow-ups of a gorilla on UGA's campus to attract students to a back to school event, to chanting Harambe after golf shots at the PGA championship, there is no doubt that people love gorillas and people love Harambe.
Wherever you stand on this issue, whether that be in regards to animal's rights, zoo's security of structures, or parenting, Harambe has been the reason this discussion is taking place. While Harambe may not be a human, he brought to light a lot of ethical and social issues in society. These issues brought to the forefront by Harambe's death are things that need to be talked about, especially with the younger generation. Even if it takes the death of a gorilla to get people talking, it overall will help society talk out these tough injustices popping up around the United States. So with that being said, #ripharambe, you will be missed.
