OK…it’s all over the news…the NOW famous gorilla Harambe killed by Cincinnati Zoo officials because a toddler was in danger inside the gorilla’s habitat. I say NOW famous because before this incident happened no one knew of this gorilla. No one cared about this gorilla.
The “official” report is that.. “the boy went under the rail, through wires and over the moat wall.” What “REALLY” happened is NEVER going to be told. Again, there’s too many versions, too many variables to analyze and too many people jumping to conclusions to place BLAME on any one person.
Let’s forget reporters, the mom’s version, zoo officials, YouTube and social media for a second. Let’s take a deep breath and consider a few things.
Society needs idiot protection, things like (and some beg for another soapbox entry):
- warning labels on fast food coffee;
- told repeatedly NOT to text and drive (don’t get me started);
- warning labels on plastic bags;
- daytime running lights on cars (don’t get me started);
- warning labels on how to hold a chainsaw, use a hammer or hold a fork;
- warning labels on toys that contain small pieces;
THE LIST GOES ON….but, society needs protection from itself. So, I ask this….why hadn’t the Cincinnati Zoo taken precautions to idiot proof the exhibit? A railing, wires and a moat wall. REALLY? If society has to be told coffee is hot and plastic bags on heads kill you…it is assumed that society has to be protected from themselves even at the zoo.
As for the parent getting a bad rap for not being a good parent…what about the people who stood watching that little boy begin the climb? Hello!! As soon as the little body began going UNDER the rail, there had to be someone there with half a brain to know it was unsafe and stop the child. OH WAIT…..then they could be sued for child abuse. Dang!
Ok…so how about those gadgets that have been invented for parents to help them keep track of their kids..ya know, strollers or kid leashes. I have raised 2 kids so I speak from experience. I’ve been out in public with two toddlers at once and experienced the daunting task of keeping them nearby. Parenting is NOT for the weak. NO, kids do NOT come with instruction manuals (this by no means, is a suggestion that society needs a manual). YES, kids get away from you quick, very quickly. HOWEVER, so many of us are buried in our cell phones these days that quick takes on a new definition. I’ve seen so many parent blatantly ignoring their kid(s) in public….and it irks me because I know that they are the reason for all those parenting gadgets and warning labels.
IN MY OPINION…not placing blame anywhere…this was an accident that could have been avoided. Blame won’t bring the gorilla back. Blame won’t fix the emotional and physical scars that child will have. Blame won’t make the parent feel any better. Blame won’t make bystanders take action. Blame won’t remove labels from things to protect society from themselves. Everyone had a part in this situation, learn from it…fix it…move the heck on!
Protestors go to work…
Petitions needs to be deleted…
Zoo officials need to begin protecting society…. (there goes ticket prices).
CLIMB ABOARD MY SOAPBOX 