Why I Hate Harambe.
Start writing a post
Student Life

Why I Hate Harambe.

There are better things to focus on than a dead gorilla.

139
Why I Hate Harambe.
Jose Chomali

Harambe- a gorilla in the Cincinnati Zoo was killed because he was about to go after a child that fell into his enclosure. This potential child murderer has been glorified in social media for various reasons and frankly, I am sick and tired of it. Whenever I see a gorilla or the name "Harambe," I am triggered like basic white girl feminist and ready to rant for a solid ten minutes about this whole stupid internet culture.

In my defense the actual death of the gorilla named Harambe is unfortunate, but I would rather have the child that fell into his enclosure alive than be meat stuck in Harambe's mouth. But the public eye has decided that this gorilla is worth immortalizing on the internet!

The origin of Harambe memes has two distinct places, the African American community which used Harambe's death to spotlight racial focus on only famous ethnic people and ignore the common colored man. The other origin was with a loose group on Twitter simply called "weird Twitter" which typically makes comical and ironic memes and other jokes. While both origins are not within my sphere of caring they caused the tidal wave that became the meme phenomenon that is "Harambe."

Now Harambe is every where for things not related to the Cincinnati Zoo, gorillas, animal rights or even keeping animals in zoos. Across the internet are pictures and memorials treating Harambe like a hero, pictures of him with a folded American flag and a bullet casing, trying to synonymize Harambe with American soldiers killed in action, a family's photo set being slowly replaced by pictures of Harambe, or at least gorillas, anything that remotely had to do with a gorilla is now just "Harambe", old King Kong vs Godzilla is now Harambe saving a woman from some sort of dinosaur.

The part though that makes me most mad about the whole situation is the fact the Harambe with no real valid point to make anymore, is obscuring more important, real-world events. When Harambe was killed this last Summer in May and the immediate fall-out, backlash, backlash to the backlash and then more backlash time still continued in the rest of the world. Most prominently was the Syrian refugee crisis, families were crossing the Mediterranean to reach Europe and escape the wars in the Middle East. But many were dying on the open sea, from drowning, starvation and dehydration. While American politics are raging on, verging on sad but comical, the internet is still alight with this brute animal five months after his death while focus should still be on potential other candidates aside from the liar and the jerk. I still see more of Harambe in social media then I do the fallout from hurricane Mathew that hit Haiti and south east America.

When someone I know says lets do something "Harambe" related I grind my teeth to prevent myself from doing the Batman slap to a proverbial Robin. When I see someone posting "DicksoutforHarambe" I want to castrate them. (Not really but really.) If your going to go out in public with your genitals hanging out of your pants like a toddler then at least have a more important reason than a now dead gorilla that has no real reason for being around anymore than for you to show off your penis; keep it in your pants!

Rant satisfied.

Remember guys there are more important things happening that a dead gorilla, five-hundred years ago that was probably dinner.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58682
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37845
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959401
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

194648
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments