Famous American ornithologist and artist was an enslaver but his name will be retained by the Audubon Society

                                                                    

Audubon - he criticised Britain's abolition of slavery in its West Indies colonies

THE 15-strong board of directors of the National Audubon Society   has decided to retain the name of the organisation after a lengthy process to examine its name in light of the personal history of the man after whom it was named, John James Audubon.

Audubon (1785-1851) was a brilliant ornithologist and artist, but he was also a racist who enslaved at least nine black people.

When Britain emancipated enslaved people in its West Indies colonies in 1834, he wrote that it had acted "imprudently and precipitously".  

After deciding to retain the name, the board issued the following statement: 

"The decision was made taking into consideration many factors, including the complexity of John James Audubon’s legacy and how the decision would impact the society's mission to protect birds and the places they need long into the future. 

"The organisation will continue its non-partisan commitment to habitat conservation and climate action, its agenda-setting policy work and community-building efforts to advance its mission. 

"The board’s decision enables the organisation to focus its time, resources, and capacity on the society's new Strategic Plan and putting its Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging commitments into action. 

"The board’s naming decision follows a robust and inclusive evaluation process, which spanned more than 12 months and included input from more than 2,300 people from across our network and beyond - including survey responses from more than 1,700 Audubon Society staff, members, volunteers, donors, chapters, campus chapter members, and partners and more than 600 people across the country with a focus on reaching people of colour and younger people. 

"The society also commissioned historical research that examined John James Audubon’s life, views, and how they did - and did not -reflect his time." 

There has also been a statement from the board's chairperson, Susan Bell:

"After careful consideration, the board elected to retain our name which has come to represent so much more than the work of one person, but a broader love of birds and nature and a non-partisan approach to conservation. 

"We must reckon with the racist legacy of John James Audubon and embody our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging values in all that we do. "

"In doing so, we will ensure that Audubon stands for an inclusive future in which we unite diverse coalitions to protect birds and the places they need."   

The Wryneck says: This decision - and the corporate claptrap in which is wrapped - is regrettable. It will dismay many of Afro-Caribbean, Asia, Hispanic and white descent. For all his outstanding contributions as an ornithologist and artist, Audubon was a racist and enslaver. The board's ethical response would have been to have instigated an immediate name-change. By failing to do so, its members have further tarnished a damaged 'brand' and let down many of their supporters, volunteers, donors and staff - both current and future - within the U.S. and beyond.