Why are we so quick to judge? This was copied, not my words.
The
Cincinnati Zoo gorilla shooting of Harambe, a 17-year-old male gorilla, is
definitely the fastest-growing and hottest news story the Internet has seen in
a long time. On Saturday, May 28, a four-year-old boy
climbed a railing, squeezed through a fence and fell into the mote within the
gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo. Once the boy was inside the enclosure, a
450-pound gorilla named Harambe grabbed him and, at times, violently dragged
him around in the water while the mother yelled to him and bystanders stood in
the horror of the situation.
Zoo officials responded quickly and took
the gorilla down with a rifle shot. Zoo director Thane Maynard said, “We are
heartbroken about losing Harambe, but a child’s life was in danger and a quick
decision had to be made.” Tranquilizers were not an option in this decision due
to the time it takes for the drugs to take effect in a large animal like
Harambe.
The people of the Internet responded in
anger–blaming the child’s mother for negligence, the zoo for choosing to kill
instead of tranquilizing and, in disgust, some picketed the zoo to make a
statement. Because parent judging and shaming is currently the favorite
recreational sport of social media users, the child’s mother took many serious
verbal beatings, and there is currently a change.org petition with hundreds of
thousands of signatures that calls for her to be punished.
Human beings are made in the image of
God, above the animals, and are to be valued in such a way. We are to care for
and about all life, and it’s a sad thing to take down a beautiful animal, but
human life will always hold a higher distinction. These parents are able to
hold their son in their arms today because of the quick action of zoo
officials.
As for the Internet’s outrage? Sadly,
this is just another example of society’s lack of regard for the sanctity of
life. It’s also a bold reminder that we need to fight for the value of human life–in
all ways possible. The significance of this event isn’t just about the life of
a boy over the life of a gorilla–it’s about all human life being held in high
regard and protected for its intrinsic value to our Creator.
Dear Mom of the Boy Who Got Into the
Gorilla Enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo,
I am sorry you had to hang on for 10
terrifying minutes, wondering if your son would live or die at the hands of a
well-meaning but incredibly powerful animal. I am sorry the worst moments of
your life are being put on display for the world to see. I am sorry the
gorilla, beautiful Harambe, had to be killed. But mostly, I am sorry that you
are facing an angry mob of people around the world who want you to be punished.
Who are calling for you to be shot, for your kids to be taken away, for you to
be taken to jail or to court. I am sorry there are petitions with hundreds of
thousands of signatures calling for your life to be turned upside down even
more.I am so, so, sorry.
Dear Mama, I want you to know I won’t be
joining the angry mob. I am part of a kinder, gentler mob—a mob full of
imperfect parents who are horrified at the thought of being judged on our worst
unintentional parenting mistake for the rest of our lives. You see, mama, I am
probably just like you. A caring, attentive, loving, intentional parent who
makes mistakes. Who has normal, rambunctious children who are unpredictable and
sometimes disobedient—as ALL children are.
Dear Mama, I don’t know how you feel
about God or religion. But I am a follower of Christ. And in the gospel of John
he also confronts an angry mob of self-righteous people, just as you are having
to do. This mom was gathered around a woman as well. A woman accused of
adultery—caught in the act, in fact. But Christ would not allow the mob,
wielding heavy rocks with which to beat the woman to death, to stone her.
Instead he said,”Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a
stone at her (John 8:7, ESV).”
I have made so many mistakes in my
parenting. Thank God none of them have been tragic, but I know I’m not above
it. I’m human. I’m a mom. And I mess up.
I have no stones to throw at you, dear
Mama. Only love and prayers for you as you walk through this terrible time. And
thanksgiving that your precious boy is safe! I know it’s got to be so hard
right now, but I pray you hold your head high. This incident does NOT define
you. Your kids need you, so hang in there, girl. And know that although the
angry voices shout the loudest, there’s another mom surrounding you with loving
hugs, hands on your shoulder, and prayers that God will see you through. Taken from the internet.
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