Nǐ hǎo, jiāzhōu!
Hey, California!
We’re the primary two big pandas to enter the USA in 20 years. Whereas it’s solely been just a few months since we relocated to the San Diego Zoo from southwest China, we’ve already met the governor. Certainly, we now really feel so at dwelling in California that we’re questioning whether or not we’d vote in your November elections.
In asking this, we should reassure you that we’re reluctant to get political.
We additionally should stroll a effective line as “envoys of friendship,” within the phrases of the Chinese language authorities, which loans pandas to abroad zoos for $1 million a yr. As diplomats, we characterize a tough consumer state that bullies its neighbors and evokes retaliatory tariffs and hateful rhetoric.
There are different causes individuals would possibly advise us to remain out of politics. We’re non-humans now dwelling in a rustic that ranks low within the world Animal Safety Index. And we’re newcomers to an America so xenophobic {that a} majority of voters help mass deportation of immigrants. (Earlier than JD Vance begins spreading lies about what we eat, let’s be clear — we’re herbivores.)
But, regardless of all of the methods through which we’re outsiders, our very presence holds classes for human. We, such as you, are a weak species making an attempt to outlive on an more and more inhospitable planet. We’re additionally dwelling proof that — on this age of ethical relativism and lie-based politics — some essential issues stay black and white.
Like the truth that true democracy requires the illustration and participation of all dwelling issues. Together with us.
You, our human media, are stuffed with phony accusations that foreigners are voting on this yr’s elections. They aren’t, however why shouldn’t they be capable to? Jurisdictions around the globe open up native elections to non-citizens. San Francisco has performed so for college board contests, as an example.
If we may take part in San Diego elections, we’d help anybody who may curb the noise of jets flying low over us right here in Balboa Park, on their method to the airport. Our participation additionally would possibly elevate questions on why we dwell rent-free within the expanded Panda Ridge complicated whereas the town tears down encampments of the unhoused.
And the way is it honest to exclude us from governance? People are lower than 1% of the world’s biomass however have 100% of the world’s democratic rights. Vegetation are greater than 80% of the biomass and unrepresented, despite the fact that people couldn’t dwell with out them.
Offering illustration to animals and crops just isn’t a brand new concept. There are efforts worldwide to think about democratic techniques for varied beings, together with the Multispecies Structure Challenge on the L.A.-based Berggruen Institute, the place this column’s traditional creator is a fellow.
Maybe by incorporating the intelligence, experiences, and pursuits of different dwelling issues into governance, you people will save ecosystems — and possibly yourselves. Some non-human creatures, like whales, are already conversing with you.
If the 2 of us may discuss with you immediately, as a substitute of by a journalist’s creativeness, we’d ask concerning the struggles of beginning a household in California.
We’re a pair dealing with expectations to breed. Yun’s grandparents lived on the zoo within the 2000s and had 5 cubs right here, together with his mom Zhen Zhen. However we in all probability received’t be that fertile. And we are able to’t understand how lengthy we’ll get to remain right here, given the battle between our beginning nation and yours.
However for now, we’re Californians. Shouldn’t we’ve the identical rights as all of you?
Joe Mathews writes the Connecting California column for Zócalo Public Sq..
Initially Revealed: October 11, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.
