First, I want to say that I know this is controversial. Elephants are awesome. And elephant pants? God, they rock. They are funky, free-spirited and frankly, delightful. It is very hard to argue against a strong pair of elephant pants. However, while I respect the sh*t out of your style, I want to start a conversation about the "good juju" that is sold in the same package.
This past summer, I accompanied an Indiana Jones-esque professor to Malawi as part of an anthropology program. Most of the trip was spent with my host family in Gowa, unlearning a lot of preconceived notions about Africa. At the end of our stay, we went on little a safari in Lilongwe National Park.
As we safaried (?) along, we talked a lot about "poaching" and what that actually means. It’s a dirty word. Because it carries such a negative connotation in the international arena, the consequences for poaching can be severe. However, oftentimes the true difference between a "poacher" and a "hunter" is wealth. People (usually rich, white tourists) can pay an exorbitant amount of money for a permit to hunt "exotic game," and that is legal. On the other hand, killing an impala (a small, populous member of the deer family) for food can be considered poaching. This is entirely separate from people who poach elephants for their ivory. Rich, white people can pay to save animals or to kill animals—people who actually live near wildlife reservations are paying either way through steep fines and jail time.
The African Wildlife Foundation (where the pant money goes) funds parks and rangers who explicitly list apprehending poachers as three out their four greatest responsibilities. The reality is that when you buy elephant pants, you are funding the seizure and arrest of people who are legally considered "poachers" without a nuanced understanding of what that means and who it affects.
I am not an expert, and I am not trying to discredit any specific organization. All I know is how much we really don’t know.
Elephants are the most lovely, wrinkly creatures I’ve ever seen. I think they deserve thoughtful protection. But if you are patting yourself on the back for looking awesome while making the world a better place, please reconsider.
If you find yourself wanting to "help" Africa, that might be a good place to stop and think about why. Who are you trying to help? Did they ask for it? Is there a problem, or is there just a cultural difference? If there is a problem, what makes us think we are the ones with the knowledge and power to solve it?
I know that this is a lot to confront when you are buying pants. However, if you are serious about having an impact, there are other options. From what I’ve learned, Heifer International is doing a lot of culturally appropriate, sustainable work to battle food insecurity around the world. If you are interested, look into it, but please don’t take my word for it.
“Helping” or “saving” is never that simple.
P.S. Here is the course description if you want to travel to Malawi and learn more!
