RESPECT FOR ALL

I LOVE ANIMALS and I love the mission of Best Friends. However, I was greatly saddened by the racism and racial insensitivity on display in the article “Free to a Good Home” (November/December issue). I am African American and I have many friends who are Haitian American who find great comfort in the practice of Vodoun, the correct name for this syncretic blend of Catholicism and West African religions.

The very term “voodoo” is a racist slur promulgated by white Christians who wanted to discredit the practice of this religion. Further demonization came with woefully ignorant propaganda that practitioners sacrificed animals to aid in being possessed by one of the orishas. That is racist rubbish that is perpetuated by the comment “Some people think free pets are destined to be discarded or end up in voodoo ceremonies.”

I am very disappointed and hurt by such racist ignorance. It makes me rethink whether Best Friends is an organization I want to support. All people deserve respect, too, not just rescued animals.

Shelley P. Haley

NEW HARTFORD, N.Y.

FROM THE EDITOR: Thank you for reaching out to Best Friends magazine, and for sharing your thoughts. We were unaware of the racism perpetuated by use of the term “voodoo” and the falsehoods surrounding the practices of this religion. We appreciate you educating us and giving us the opportunity to inform our members of this error. We deeply apologize for the insensitivity displayed in the article.