Skip to main content

Thoughts, Honest Thoughts, and Really Honest Thoughts on Harambe The Gorilla


I'm pretty sure what I am about to explain is going to annoy and possibly anger a few readers, but hey, that's life. And quite frankly, more than ever, that's where we are as a society these days - vocal, opinionated, and fiery more than ever.

With that said, I don't quite understand the overall "rage" regarding the shooting of the Cincinnati Gorilla, Harambe. Yes, I am sure your eyes have widened and your blood pressure have soared, but again, I'm being truthful - I just don't understand the fury. 

I am aware, completely sympathetic, and conscious of the fact that a rare Silverback Gorilla was killed in this situation. I'm not at all cold-blooded when it comes to this.
However, was not a child's life saved? Sorry, I keep coming back to this point as it seems those who are outraged continue to point to irrelevant matters in the situation to justify their point. I've heard and read plenty - Why was the child not supervised? Why couldn't the Gorilla be tranquilized? 

Others have gone as far as claiming negligence on the part of the zoo and the parent. 

Again, just my opinion, but non of these questions, reasoning, or accusations trump this fact - a child's life was in danger, and the child was saved. 

You read these stories of the family being threatened via social media with comments such as, "that animal is more important than your s--t kid", "You're a killer!", and "U should've been shot", and again I have to wonder, did we forget a child's life was saved?!

The. Life. Of. A. Child. Was. Saved! 

Let's be honest, I see it everywhere, all the time, everyday - great parents who aren't perfect. Who turn away for a second, or miss a moment, or have a misstep. I'm not making an excuse, but it does happen. It's the part of parenting I hear about that is the most stressful and illicit the most fear. And the part that many swoop judgement down upon parents without understanding or having empathy for this aspect. 

One bad moment doesn't make a bad parent. A series of bad moments makes a bad parent. Regardless, if this parent were great parent, she had her misstep. If this parent were a terrible parent, it fell right in line with her actions. Regardless, the situation happened and could have happened to any parent, especially if the opportunity was there.

And again, the child was not harmed! But the Gorilla...yeah, yeah, I know...

I can you tell that if my child were in a habitat with a 450 pound wild Gorilla, I wouldn't care what happened to said Gorilla, animal, habitat, or the zoo, as long as my child was rescued and not harmed. Judge me all you want. But I would wish as many bullets to fire down upon any Gorilla, beast, or robot, or whatever, that has the potential of hurting my child. Wouldn't we all?  

But, hey, that's where we are today. That's the blessing and curse of the internet.

What would have happened if the Gorilla did in fact, unfortunately, somehow, harm or even kill the child? What would the narrative be then? Still, bad parent? Would we rejoice that the Gorilla's life was spared? I shudder to think... Again, when does the life of the child come into play here? 

Yet, if I'm truly letting the honesty fly here, where was this animal outrage when horses were dropping left and right for sport two weeks ago in the Preakness? Or towards the fact we believe the best welfare for these animals are in captivity in zoos? 

And if you really are asking me to reach down to the depths of my soul and uncover my honest opinion on this: I find it in utter poor taste, thus so predictable, how this country loses it's you-know-what over the (albeit tragic) death of a rare Gorilla, yet, finds alternative campaigns (All Animals Lives Matter - seriously?!)  and is comparably passionless on the issue of brown bodies being killed unwarranted throughout our nation. 

Only in America...

Recently Read Posts

Impact No Surrender 2023 Review: "Interested in where the Product is Going"

I've fallen behind on my Impact Wrestling viewing, but honestly, that's okay. For viewership and enjoyment, yes. Not so well for posting a review for readership long after it's noteworthy or relevant. But whatevs, that's just where I am in life. Wrestling is much more fun removed from the restraints and influence of the criticism and impact (no pun intended) of the current time. That's just me. You can probably thank social media. Moving on, No Surrender 2023 continues Impact's progress into the new year. The product is still solid and consistent with a nice blend of characters and wrestlers moving in and out of the main event scene, along with a fresh batch of a resurgence of characters and occurrences. Nothing says that more than Rich Swann vs. Josh Alexander.  No Surrender was a solid event, but it does leave me extremely interested in where the product is going, or should I say planning, for 2023. I don't want to say that Alexander's title reign has

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 2/19/23

3 Up 1. India's Tap Water Access - This is a rather remarkable story. It's a story that offers humility wrapped in the extraordinary. India's Jal Jeevan Mission provided almost 79 million - 79 MILLION! - households with tap water. Just tap water!  2. Jordan Make-A-Wish Record - MJ is often loved through nostalgia, narrative, and remembrance for being politically neutral - even in giving. MJ these days has made some influential contributions, including this latest $10M donation to the Make-A-Wish foundation.  3. WWE Elimination Chamber - A tremendously entertaining pay-per-view on the road to Wrestlemania. The best storyline in pro wrestling continues to evolve between Sami Zayn and the Bloodline.  3A. City of Montreal - Give it up to the city of Montreal for what made a few nights of pro wrestling an awesome experience. Can we get this city more events?  3 Down 1. Michigan State Shooting - We're broken. Very broken. My thoughts and prayers are with those friends and fam

A Product of Us: Thoughts on Durant Trade

I said back in July when Kevin Durant rocked the NBA world with his trade request, that he "showed us who he was".  It wasn't a negative comment, but one that encompasses his entire career being a product of our current sport climate - success and focus on legacy. We emphasize the value of a career on rings, and thus, Durant has too. Why wouldn't he?!  Upon waking up and realizing that Durant will don the purple and orange for the Phoenix Suns in what is clearly now a team to watch come the NBA Playoffs, I find myself further pondering if Kevin Durant is the prime result of what we - yes, us! - have done to the modern athlete.  Today, Durant is one of the greatest basketball players I've ever seen. EVER. The dude is rare. He's a seven-foot magician which makes defending him even more difficult based on how damn efficient he is on the basketball court. It's downright poetic and beautiful to watch Durant play. And yes, I'm romanticizing his game. I belie

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 1/8/22

3 Up 1. New Year - Happy New Year to you all! I've written it in a bunch of emails, mainly to be courteous, but I really do wish you the best for you. I hope 2023 is a great one for all of you DP readers.  2. Buffalo Athletic Trainers - Let's give it up for the Athletic Trainers of the Buffalo Bills who performed with courage, steadfastness, and urgency in regard to Damar Hamlin. We should be celebrating those trainers more.  2A. Athletic Trainers - And because I'm always around them, let's give it up for Athletic Trainers in general. They do so much and very much go unnoticed in the space of sports, athletics, and performance.  2B. Damar Hamlin - Praying for Hamlin and his family... 3. Broadway Bounceback - We all like to believe we're back from COVID, but we're not. But it's news like Broadway having its biggest week of sales since the pandemic began is some nice news. Everyone in the theatre industry deserves it.  3 Down 1. Damar Hamlin Situation - Horri