Why is it so hard to discuss changing offensive names with zoologists? A Black perspective

Abstract Racism in science persists and is well documented; combating it remains a priority. As exemplified by the Black Lives Matter movement, an important facet of this struggle is ensuring that latent historical prejudice does not continue to work against our efforts for a fairer world. An important discussion concerning the suppression of offensive names in biological classifications was initiated recently and has developed in the periodical literature. Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, a vocal number of zoologists, perhaps by not recognizing it as a fight for equality, have expressed contrary opinions, most notably the Commissioners of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, who strongly opposed any such initiatives. Here, we review the main concerns of those who oppose substituting offensive names, demonstrating that they all essentially revolve around an unfounded concern of losing control of nomenclatural issues; the main worry is about stability; there is confusion between equality in science and defence of an irrational science; and, in some cases, there is plain racism or an imperialist position. In common with others, we consider that nomenclature has already proved to be efficient and resilient to the changes brought about the adoption of phylogenetic systematics as proposed by Willy Hennig and by the ‘genetic revolution’, which were and are far more challenging than any potential changes related to offensive names. We have also argued that it should be left to the taxonomic community to initiate the process of replacing offensive names, obviously with due justification. We uphold the right of those offended to recommend the removal from scientific nomenclature of those elements tainted by the biases and discriminatory views of the past, based on the parameters of the present. Given that the standards of the future are equally prone to change, those who succeed us will, obviously, also possess the right to propose further changes. The choice now faced by taxonomists is between historical justice/equality and the priority of names honouring imperial colonialists. Selecting equality and justice over priority is, in our view, a very simple and unquestionable choice.