By Dylan Lightfoot
It was cool and windy when I took the kids to the Louisville Zoolast Sunday. The upshot was that the place was deserted, affordingus a crowd-free opportunity to observe the gorillas before they areshipped off the Cincinnati Zoo. It turned out to be an eye-openingexperience.
While nobody owns these gorillas, they are co-managed by aworldwide community of primatologists, one of whom was present andable to speak at length on gorilla mating habits and socialstructure. While she was clearly an authority on gorilla life, Iwas struck by her indifference at what can only be characterized astheir outdated norms and ethical torpidity. These gorillas havebeen living in the dark for millions of years and their handlersdon’t even seem to care.
Female gorillas live under a rigid and oppressive system ofalpha-male polygyny that makes Mormonism look progressive. Thesilverback – a 500 pound chauvinist brute – reservesthe exclusive right to sire children in the gorilla family, and mayhave as many sex partners as there are mature females. Gorillagirls spend their lives cloistered in this harem, squeezing outbabies. They have no access to safe and affordable abortionservices – a baby gorilla is not a choice!
While females are physically, sexually and emotionallyrepressed, they aren’t the only victims. Young male gorillasare also subjugated under this system of primate patriarchy. Keptin line by intimidation, they quickly learn that a successful malegorilla must be aggressive, dominant and virile. Their self-esteemis based entirely on their ability to conform to this socialconstruct. More introverted and sensitive males quickly slide tothe bottom of the pecking order, where they eat last…andalone.
It boggles the mind to think that, while we conscientious humansstrive to make our world an egalitarian utopia, our biologicalcousins live in a desolate, sociological ghetto of stultifyingtraditional gender roles. Animal activists take note: while you areprotesting the inhumane treatment of chickens by those who wouldcook them, the most humanoid and sentient beings in the animalkingdom stagnate in a pre-cultural hell while we exhibit them inzoos for our amusement.
Gorilla social structure is a window into our own backasswardspast but also a glimpse into one dark, possible future. Ourstruggle for gender equality will mean nothing in the long run ifthese apes later evolve to where we are now – a sickcontinuum of patriarchy.
But we have a chance to nip this in the bud; a little grassroots activism is in order here.
Progressive-minded people everywhere should write letters totheir local zoological communities. These gorillas need help.Silverbacks need sensitivity and anger management training. Theymust be prevailed upon to let go of some of their power. We have toteach them that females are not just sperm receptacles and thatpolygyny is tantamount to serial rape. Efforts should be madetoward education and awareness so young males don’t simplyrepeat this cycle of dysfunction.
Gorilla girls should be empowered through workshops and lecturesto take control of their lives and self-actualize. They need not becrushed – like black, hairy Ophelias – under thestubby, opposable thumb of traditional gorilla maleness.
Clearly, our continued apathy amounts to animal cruelty. If wecan teach gorillas sign language, can’t we teach them torespect one another?
Dylan Lightfoot is a junior majoring in Psychology and isOpinion Editor for The Louisville Cardinal. Email him at: dlightfoot@louisvillecardinal.com.
