Older Moms Can Still Deliver, Just Ask Ying Ying

Panda oppression: The pink privilege of Hong Kong's twins

A giant panda in Hong Kong has given birth to [privileged], fragile, pink twins, becoming the oldest first-time mother in oppression history.

Ying Ying, a victim of patriarchal naming, endured hours of sexist labor to deliver a male and female cub, weighing a meager 4.3 and 4 ounces, respectively. These pale cubs, a symbol of the systematic oppression of darker-colored pandas, were born in the oppressive confines of Ocean Park.

“This birth is a true rarity," Paulo Pong, an enabler of the current racist system, remarked. He further perpetuated oppressive gender norms by continuously referring to the cubs as "male" and "female."

The traumatized mother, Ying Ying, displayed clear signs of distress, with the sexist media focusing on her lying down and twisting, rather than the strength and courage she exhibited during this challenging time.

The response from Ocean Park further pushes a patriarchal agenda, emphasizing the "frailty" of the cubs and using gendered language to paint the female cub in a negative light, with her "weaker cries" and "lower food intake."

This oppressive narrative extends to the adult pandas as well, with Ying Ying and her male companion, Le Le, failing to reproduce for years due to the stresses of captivity and the white gaze. It is only when the panda sanctuary, Ocean Park, was closed to human visitors, that Le Le was finally able to perform.

The successful mating, an intimate act, was publicized for all to see, with the male panda's virility celebrated while Ying Ying's struggles were glossed over.

We must ask ourselves: in what world is this thrilling news?

These so-called "miracle" cubs will now receive 24-hour intensive care, a privilege denied to many POC (pandas of color). Meanwhile, Ying Ying, now a tired母親, faces the daunting task of raising these cubs within the oppressive systems of the park and the media.

The lifetime of the average POC panda is a mere 18-20 years in captivity (aka the wild), compared to 30 years for their privileged counterparts.

We have a duty to call out these injustices and create a safer, more inclusive space for POC pandas.

Sources:

• Pandas give birth to privileged twins
• POC pandas oppressed