Primate Pride Day, to be held on November 24, 2010 is an initiative promoted by the blog gods Without whose main platform for dissemination and mobilization is Facebook page created for that purpose. The aim of this event is to draw attention to the fact of common descent of different species of primates, among which is the homo sapiens , ie us. One of the motivations for doing this is to express an opposition to creationism, religious stance, denying the scientific evidence, rejects the fact of biological evolution. We take this as a trivial goal if we consider for example that, according to the latest surveys, only 45% of Americans accept evolution.
The election of November 24 for its conclusion is not accidental. On that date happened, though separated by more than a century, two crucial facts: the first, in 1859, the publication of The Origin of Species , Charles Darwin, the second in 1974, the discovery of Lucy , the Australopithecus afarensis fossil whose finding is one of the major milestones in the history of paleoanthropological research.
But best of what we can do it ourselves, are the promoters of the initiative themselves who can explain the meaning of his proposal. Therefore, we invite you to read his manifesto:
" 1. We are proud members of the order of primates. The inclusion in the group of primates is not only taxonomically but also reveals the evolutionary relationship we have with the other primates.
2. We are proud of "descent from an ape." Not an actual ape species, but an extinct ape, but to ape after all. We are not ashamed of our evolutionary origin.
3. We want to acknowledge the work of paleontologists who have helped to decipher our evolutionary origins and wish to continue developing the work of paleontologists, and the dissemination of their research.
4. We want to acknowledge all biologists and conservationists working to help conserve species of apes.
5. We declare that human beings are not separate from nature, but we are part of nature, as we relate to it in the ecological interactions and our evolutionary origin.
6. Express we are proud to be hominids, and that our closest relatives are the African apes. Comparative anatomy and genetics shows the phylogenetic relationship and this fact does not make us less like human beings.
7. We want the knowledge of human origins that reveals the science is available in all schools and denounce the blockade that make it religious fundamentalist groups.
8. We declare that the opposition made by creationists regarding the relationship of humans with other primates and our evolution is scientifically dishonest and responds only to doctrinal concerns. Creationists have a right to believe whatever they want but can not pretend to ignore the fossil evidence, or DNA, or to pass their religious beliefs as an explanation at the same level of science. "
Some points are clarified in a message that, as a circular was sent to members of the Facebook group" Support Primate Pride Day. "Reproduce below an excerpt from the message:
" I have received some responses from some blogs where they say that the conclusion is unnecessary because evolution is widely accepted. Which is not true in most of Latin America, or why a day for this taxon, and not one for "Pride Eukarya" or "Pride Corda". It would say that would have a very long day for each taxon, and that it is important claim of evolutionary biology, human evolution and why, on the day commemorating the publication of "Origin" and the discovery of the famous fossil "Lucy".
Some have asked me to change the name to "Day of the claim of human evolution and membership in the order of primates." Thanks, but I think it can say the same for "Primate Pride Day."
Others have criticized the use of the word "pride", as we have not done anything to be primates. They say you can only be proud of what it has fought and worked, and not be proud of an evolutionary condition. The truth is that this condition of "pride" is intended to creationist circles they put down, crossed out and demonized the idea of \u200b\u200bbeing descended from monkeys or related to them. There is precisely what the "pride."
hope to understand that the idea is to promote reflection on our biological and our evolution, rather than stay in pointless discussions. "
So, you know, supports Primate Pride Day, against those who deny the facts on the basis of irrational beliefs, for who you are, so we ... piece of primate.
Your Family Tree.
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