The animal I would like to discuss today is the jeroba. This animal is featured below:
These animals are small jumping desert rodents of Asia and northern Africa that resemble mice with a long tufted tail and very long hind legs. The small forelegs are not used for locomotion. In general, Asiatic jerboas have five toes on their hind feet and African jerboas have three; the shapes of their ears vary widely between species. Jerboa fur is long, soft and silky. Diet varies considerably: some are specialist seed, insect, or plant eaters, others are omnivores. Jerboas obtain energy by eating plants.
The very name of this animal is what makes this animal so underappreciatd. "Jerboa" is from the Arabic word "yerbo," meaning "big thighs." It is not only wrong but it is furthermore racist to call an animal by its appearance. You don't see me calling Suzy "big ears" or Matthew "no action". This type of behavior is simply not accepted and is frowned upon. However, the innocent jerboa must deal with this kind of indecency and I cannot help but feel terrible.
I would like to pose a few questions to generate discussion:
1) Have you ever been called by a name that resembles your appearance such as the examples mentioned above? If so, how did this make you feel, and do you see a correlation in how the jeroba may feel?
2) What plan of action do you think could be enacted to make sure this type of behavior does not continue? Is this plan reasonable or even feasible?
Please just don't state your answers for a matter of fact, but explain why you chose the answers you did.
Be safe and well this weekend.
This blog has been brought to you by renowned scholar Michael J. DeFelice.
3 comments:
I sympathize with the Jerboa and honestly hope that through your blog, more people become aware of the heinous actions that have been brought upon this defenseless mammal.
I myself have been experienced the same misfortunes as the Jerboa. When I was in Kindergarten, I remember being teased and made fun of for my tiny stature and apparently "small eyes". Most of the time I would be referred to as "Slanties". However, after looking at pictures taken back then, I still don't understand how my eyes were considered to be too small. Nonetheless, I felt very discouraged by my inconsiderate peers at such a young age.
Although it would be ideal for this unacceptable behavior to come to an end, I do not feel that any actions promoting acceptance of differences would be feasable. Unfortunately, racism against the Jerboa will most likely always exist. I implore the Jerboa to keep its chin up and be proud of its unique features.
You wrote "Jeroba" two to three times in this blog. Get your facts straight. The Jeroba is not an underappreciated animal, but an overappreciated alien planet from star trek. Get your FACTS STRAIGHT!
otherwise, i am pleased that you brought up these questions. I have been called a variety of things based on my appearance. "Four eyes," "goggles," "butt pirate..." all names to make fun of my glasses. I dont get it.
I can commiserate with the Jerboa on so many levels. I plan to not judge others, and they will not judge me, and no one will judge jerboas in turn. Thank you again.
1) Have you ever been called by a name that resembles your appearance such as the examples mentioned above? If so, how did this make you feel, and do you see a correlation in how the jeroba may feel?
- No, it made me feel bad, it feels bad
2) What plan of action do you think could be enacted to make sure this type of behavior does not continue? Is this plan reasonable or even feasible?
- Elect Obama for change, Yes, Yes
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