Harambe didn’t die for this.
Harambe the gorilla died on May 28 after unjustly getting shot and killed by a Cincinnati Zoo worker after a boy fell into his enclosure. His death sent shockwaves around the internet, as some couldn’t believe Harambe’s life ended because parents couldn’t watch their child.
Memes were created to honor the gorilla, but this being the internet, many of them have now turned into jokes. Now, the Cincinnati Zoo wants people to stop.
Via The Independent:
“We are not amused by the memes, petitions and signs about Harambe,” Thane Maynard, Cincinnati Zoo director, told the Associated Press. “Our zoo family is still healing, and the constant mention of Harambe makes moving forward more difficult for us. We are honoring Harambe by redoubling our gorilla conservation efforts and encouraging others to join us.”
The memeification of Harambe is everywhere, especially on Twitter and Reddit. Whether it’s the countless “Harambe didn’t die for this” responses, the petitions to change things to honor the fallen Gorilla, such as Tropical Storm Hermine to Tropical Storm Harambe, athletes embracing the meme or the infamous “dicks out for Harambe” meme, Harambe has left a lasting impression online.
The Cincinnati Zoo has every right to be upset over some of the jokes made at Harambe’s expense. But, as mentioned by Ashley Byrne, the associate director at PETA, the memes and less trolly discussions surrounding Harambe have opened up discussion about forced captivity.
“This tragic incident really did start a new conversation,” she said. “Most people who saw the video came away with a great degree of empathy for animals forced to live in captivity.”
I can see why Cincinnati Zoo wants the Harambe meme to blow over. It’s essentially what they’re famous for now. Unfortunately, like the Michael Jordan crying face meme, Harambe appears to be sticking around for a while.
If I was the Cincinnati Zoo, I’d caution those about using the meme, but not actively fight against it. The internet shall mourn him, however they feel is appropriate.
