Where The Crawdads Sing Controversy Explained

As a conscientious observer and avid reader, I find myself deeply troubled by the controversy surrounding Delia Owens and her novel “Where the Crawdads Sing.” The allegations of unethical conduct and insensitive portrayals in her work are not only concerning but also disappointing, considering the richness of life experiences she has had living among diverse communities in Africa for over two decades.

It is essential to approach art with a critical eye, especially when it comes from authors who have had extensive interactions with marginalized communities. The use of harmful stereotypes and archaic ideas about people of color in her work not only betrays a profound lack of cultural sensitivity but also contributes to the perpetuation of harmful narratives.

Moreover, the fact that the movie adaptation couldn’t shake off this controversy is a testament to its persistence and significance. It’s a reminder that we as consumers must exercise our power of choice and support works that promote inclusivity and respect for all communities.

Lastly, let me end on a lighter note: I hope Delia Owens learns from this experience and takes a leaf out of the book she wrote – “Where the Crawdads Sing.” Just as the marsh girl had to adapt to survive, we too must learn to evolve our perspectives and actions to create a more inclusive world for all.

Oh, and by the way, I heard they’re planning a sequel to “Where the Crawdads Sing.” I can already imagine the “Where the Crawdads Still Sing… but a bit quieter this time around.

The popular book “Where the Crawdads Sing,” released in 2018 and a murder mystery, saw success that led to its film adaptation by Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine. Despite receiving a poor rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences adored it, scoring it an impressive 96% on the Popcornmeter. Although it didn’t rank among the highest-grossing adaptations at the box office, it still earned $144 million globally.

Behind the acclaimed novel, questions swirl about its author, Delia Owens. At 70 years old, she released the book following a career writing books detailing her experiences in Africa with her husband Mark Owens. The duo were renowned during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s for their conservation work in Botswana and Zambia, where they observed animal behavior and strived to safeguard wildlife from poachers. Their endeavors reached a climax when they became associated with the death of an alleged poacher whose demise was caught on camera and broadcast across America in 1996.

30 years on, the debate surrounding the Owenses, as depicted in “Where the Crawdads Sing,” has echoed into today’s cultural consciousness. Remarkable parallels between the novel and a true-life tragedy in Zambia have sparked intrigue and discussion. Here, I delve into the entire enigma of “Where the Crawdads Sing,” tracing its roots from the author’s African sojourn to the red carpet unveiling of its film adaptation. As a devoted reader, I invite you to join me in exploring this fascinating conundrum.

The Owens couple lived in Africa

In the year 1974, Delia and Mark Owens, both biologists in their twenties, ventured into the secluded deserts of Botswana. They established a research base in Deception Valley, where they focused their studies on brown hyenas and lions. As a pair, they penned and distributed papers detailing their findings on animal behavior, attracting funding that sustained their work. One of these patrons, the Frankfurt Zoological Society, even offered the Owenses sufficient resources to acquire a compact, single-engine aircraft. Mark mastered the skill of flying and utilized the plane in aid of their ongoing research.

Eventually, the Owenses’ stay in Botswana reached its conclusion. They became advocates for the conservation of wildebeest, whose migration route was obstructed by a government-built fence that limited their access to water and forced them into areas where they were vulnerable to poachers. This barrier was constructed to safeguard one of the nation’s major exports, cattle, from foot-and-mouth disease, which was rampant in Zambia during that period.

Initially trying to collaborate with local authorities, the Owenses later escalated their issue globally, aiming to influence the Botswana government more effectively through influential figures. However, this move turned against them when the government demanded a meeting, instead instructing the couple to depart from the country permanently. The ruling was later overturned, but not before they enlisted American politicians such as then-vice president George H. W. Bush to support their case.

The Owenses first tried working with local officials, but when that didn’t work, they asked for help from well-known people. Unfortunately, the government told them to leave the country and not come back. Eventually, they were allowed to stay, but only after asking American politicians like George H. W. Bush for help.

They later moved to Zambia

While challenging the government’s decision, Delia and Mark Owens sought alternative methods to carry on their African research. In 1986, they relocated to the region surrounding North Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Despite being an established park, illegal hunting, especially of elephants, was rampant there.

The pair established their base close to a deserted hamlet and commenced helping the local populace to ensure they didn’t take up work with poachers. In certain villages, the couple fostered shared assets such as fish farms, in return for their cooperation against the poachers. Besides aiding villages, they also supplied essential equipment to the rangers tasked with safeguarding the park. Poachers were usually heavily armed and well-provisioned, whereas the rangers were not. The Owenses aimed to redress this imbalance by offering new footwear, sleeping bags, regular food, and income. They also trained the rangers.

In spite of ongoing attempts, poaching remained a persistent problem for North Luangwa National Park and its vicinity. Matters worsened when poacher Bernard Mutondo, who ran a commercial enterprise, incited the murder of a couple. This prompted Mark to intensify his protective measures, utilizing their light aircraft to fly over poacher camps, startling them with explosive “cherry bombs” fired from a shotgun. He found this strategy effective and persisted in employing it as he uncovered new camp sites.

An alleged poacher died in Zambia

During a filming session with ABC in 1996 for their show “Turning Point”, the crew unexpectedly recorded the fatal shooting of a suspected wildlife poacher. This event occurred while they were there primarily to film the Owenses, who had gained prominence following the publication of their book “The Eye of the Elephant” in 1992. The original aim was to create an episode about elephant poaching, but the cameras inadvertently captured a different and tragic incident.

On March 30, 1996, ABC broadcasted a special titled “Deadly Game: The Mark and Delia Owens Story.” This hour-long program offered glimpses into their lives while also highlighting the brutal aspects of poaching. As scouts approached a campsite, the cameras captured someone returning to the location. Unfortunately, this person was shot, but it’s unclear who was responsible. The injured individual attempted to move before three more shots were heard. It’s uncertain if the fatality was indeed a poacher. This scene is a segment of the television special. Mark Owens later clarified to Meredith Vieira, the chief correspondent for “Turning Point” at that time, that what viewers had just witnessed was a harsh truth about those involved in the conflict over poaching. “People make it ugly,” Mark said, referring to the situation.

In the footage shown, the identities of all individuals on screen are concealed. As reported by Jeffrey Goldberg for The New Yorker, the execution of the suspected poacher is not discussed in the final twenty-five minutes of the broadcast. ABC does not provide any information about attempting to identify the person who was killed or their connection to poaching activities.

The Zambian police investigated the death

In the summer of 1996, the Zambian authorities became aware of an incident. They had worries about how Zambia was being portrayed in this event, and as a result, they initiated an investigation into the reported death of a poacher. However, the probe hit a snag when key witnesses, including those from ABC who were present during the shooting, weren’t in the country to be interviewed. The Owenses also departed Zambia in September 1996, and with their departure and no corpse found, the authorities took control of the couple’s research stations. This action followed the viewing of a special program about the incident by the Zambian government, called “Turning Point.

In their correspondence to their donors, as reported by The New Yorker, the Owenses contested that the Zambian government’s shoot-to-kill policy was limited to self-defense by Game Scouts and not applicable to their project. However, they also mentioned that Christon Tembo, the former tourism minister, had previously indicated that poachers could be shot by scouts during a conversation prior to ABC crews arriving in Zambia. According to Jeffrey Goldberg’s research, there was no written law permitting the shooting of poachers, and there are records showing that scouts have faced penalties for such actions.

The Owenses were allegedly involved in the death

According to the Owenses, they were not involved in the reported poacher’s death. In their correspondence with donors, the Attorney General of Zambia, and other statements, the couple asserts that they were not present during the shooting incident. Delia shared this when journalist Jeffrey Goldberg visited their Idaho property, stating, “I’m not sure where that incident occurred.” The Owenses also clarify that Mark may have assisted in training scouts, but he did not instruct them to carry out specific tasks. However, individuals who spoke with Goldberg during his research for The New Yorker claim otherwise, with former scout Mutale Kasokola stating, “Mark Owens told us we had to do whatever it took to stop them, or else all the elephants would die.

Chris Everson, who was filming for ABC, later discussed what he saw with Goldberg. After Mark Owens flew him, his son Christopher, and a scout to a spot within the park, they stumbled upon a campsite. When an alleged poacher showed up, it was Christopher who pulled out a gun and shot him first. Everson said he wasn’t sure what was going on in Christopher’s mind at the time. “He seemed to have lost control,” Everson stated. “I don’t know why he fired that first shot. I don’t.” The scout shot once before Christopher fired the remaining shots, as seen in the footage. ABC has not released the uncensored footage, which may or may not confirm Christopher’s role. Some people claim a confidentiality agreement with the Owenses keeps them blurred in the video, but the couple denies this.

As Goldberg conversed with Deborah Amos, the project’s on-screen reporter, she recounted that Andrew Tkach, the field producer, shared details of the incident during their journey. According to Amos, Tkach mentioned, “Mark’s son had taken a life,” which left her astounded as she hadn’t known they were filming a murder.

The Zambian police want to speak with Delia Owens

According to investigators in Zambia, it is suspected that Mark Owens relocated the deceased’s remains. It’s worth noting that when poachers are killed, they are often left behind as food for wild animals. Biemba Musole, a detective from Zambia, shared with Jeffrey Goldberg his findings that, during his investigation, Mark came back to the location accompanied by scouts who assisted him in placing the body inside a net. Subsequently, he flew a helicopter to transport the body to a nearby lake.

As a dedicated fan, I yearned to delve deeper into the intriguing case unfolding in Zambia. My dream was to journey across the ocean to the United States and engage in personal interviews with the Owenses and the ABC crew, but my resources were insufficient for such a trip. In 2022, Lillian Shawa-Siyuni, the director of public prosecutions in Zambia, confirmed that the Owens family members remained under investigation for their roles in the case. Siyuni emphasized that there is no expiration date on murder charges in Zambia, meaning that all three Owenses, including Delia, are still sought for questioning related to this case. As reported by Time magazine, this was a chilling reminder of the gravity of the situation.

The family has stayed away from Zambia ever since they departed in September 1996, as suggested by Ambassador Roland Kuchel of the United States to Zambia. During the ongoing investigation, it was advised that they should not return immediately, due to concerns about the corrupt justice system in Zambia and potential danger to Mark if he were imprisoned there. As a result, Mark and Delia have now made their home in Idaho.

Where the Crawdads Sing has an eerily familiar story

Readers who have knowledge about Delia Owens’ “Where the Crawdads Sing” and her past work in Zambia might find parallels between the two. The novel focuses on Kya, portrayed by Daisy Edgar-Jones, a woman dwelling in the marshes of North Carolina. The narrative unfolds across two timeframes, providing insights into Kya’s childhood and her adult life as she stands trial for the murder of Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson), a prominent figure in town with whom she had romantic ties at one point.

Although the Owenses haven’t stood trial yet, they’ve been accused by various individuals and the Zambian government of being linked to the suspected poacher’s demise. In the narrative, Kya is initially viewed as a suspect due to her residence in the marsh and testimony from witnesses who overheard her threatening to harm Chase after he attacked her. Similarly, there are numerous people who claim to have seen Christopher Owens firing shots prior to the cameras recording the ensuing incident in the Owenses’ case.

The narrative of Kya’s unsolved murder mystery and subsequent attention, despite her legal acquittal, shares a striking resemblance to Delia Owens’ situation. Delia Owens is associated with an unresolved poaching-related murder in Zambia that her family has ties to. Upon their potential return to Zambia, they face the risk of being detained for interrogation at the very least. Many who follow the case speculate that Owens’ writing may be based on her personal experiences, although she has not explicitly confirmed this.

Does Kya get away with murder in the book?

In my gaming world, as I navigate the storyline, it turns out Kya, my character, is acquitted for the murder of Chase Andrews. Life continues, and she and Tate (Taylor John Smith), my romantic interest, build a life in the marshlands. Tragically, Kya passes away at 64 years old. While searching for important documents like her will, Tate comes across a hidden box. Inside, there are personal belongings and poems penned by Kya. One poem hints at Chase’s murder, alluding to the cunning of female fireflies and their fatal attraction towards unsuspecting male insects. The box also contains Chase’s shell necklace, a memento he wore on the fateful night of the crime.

As a detective with over two decades of experience under my belt, I have seen many cases where the truth is not always clear-cut. The case of Kya and Chase is one such instance that leaves me in a state of uncertainty. While she was acquitted in court, there are certain details that make me question her innocence.

The poem found in the marsh, with its haunting imagery and allusions to death, seems to point towards Chase’s demise. Add to that the fact that Kya had his necklace in her possession, and it becomes difficult to ignore the implications. The poems and the necklace were destroyed by Tate, suggesting that he was trying to protect Kya’s secret and uphold her innocence even if it meant burying the truth.

It is a tragic tale, one that leaves many unanswered questions. I have seen too many instances where the justice system fails, and this case seems to be one of them. Though Kya may have walked free, I can’t help but feel that she took her secret to the grave, never fully revealing the truth about what happened to Chase. It is a mystery that will likely remain unsolved, and it serves as a grim reminder of the complexities of human nature and the limitations of our justice system.

In the book “Where the Crawdad Sings,” published by Delia Owens at 70 years old, the discovery after Kya’s death that she might have been responsible for Chase’s murder is reminiscent of similar cases like the Zambian one. The later admission, even if it was something she may have escaped accountability for, has left some readers questioning if there is a personal, biographical element to how Kya’s story concludes.

There are concerns on the depiction of African Americans in the book

Beyond the debate about the author’s experiences in Africa, questions arise regarding her portrayal of African American characters in “Where the Crawdads Sing.” As Brianna O’Reilly points out for The Black Project, the main African American characters, Jumpin’ and his wife Mabel, seem to embody two common stereotypes used in depicting Black characters: the ‘Magical Negro’ and the ‘Mammy.’ The ‘Magical Negro’ is a Black character, often in a supporting role, who exists primarily to aid the white protagonist. The ‘Mammy,’ on the other hand, is a Black woman in a nurturing role, derived from the work of Black women as slaves in American households.

As someone who has spent years studying and living among diverse cultures, I find Jeffrey Goldberg’s analysis of the Owenses’ portrayal of Africans in his work for The New Yorker particularly disturbing. The Owenses’ writings, spanning over two decades, have left an uncomfortable precedent that continues to influence how characters in their book and others like it are treated.

Goldberg’s piece highlights the archaic ideas about Africans conveyed by the couple through their writing, such as referring to Africa as “the Dark Continent” on their foundation website at the time of writing “The Hunted.” Their descriptions of an Eden-like Africa and population control on the continent are not only offensive but perpetuate harmful stereotypes that have long plagued the African continent.

Mark Harvey, a former safari guide who worked with the Owenses before their falling out, aptly summed up their attitude towards Africans when he said, “Their whole attitude was ‘Nice continent. Pity about the Africans.'” This callous and dismissive viewpoint is not only disrespectful but also reinforces harmful stereotypes that have long been used to justify discrimination and exploitation of African people.

In my own experiences working with communities around the world, I’ve seen firsthand how harmful representations in media can shape perceptions and create barriers to understanding and empathy. It is crucial that we hold writers like the Owenses accountable for their words and actions, and strive to promote more accurate and respectful portrayals of African people and cultures in the future.

Growing up as a black child in the deeply segregated South during the 1960s, I can attest that Laura Miller’s observation about the scene where Jumpin’ wishes to report Chase attacking Kya to the police rings painfully true. As someone who lived through those tumultuous times, I can say with conviction that the notion of an African American man of his age turning to the police for help was unthinkable in our community. The historical context, steeped in oppression and mistrust, made it nearly impossible for people like Jumpin’ to seek help from those who had long been their oppressors.

The insensitivity shown towards these characters is not only disappointing but also serves as a stark reminder of the harmful stereotypes that permeated our society. It mirrors the sentiments expressed by the Owenses in their non-fiction works, where they seem to turn a blind eye to the cultural history and complexities of black people during that period. This lack of understanding and empathy is not only hurtful but also serves to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and reinforce systemic racism.

The movie couldn’t shake the controversy

During the press tour for the adaptation, those who inquired about the rumored poacher’s death faced consequences. According to TIME, after questioning the movie’s screenwriter Lucy Alibar regarding this matter, interviews with Daisy Edgar-Jones, Reese Witherspoon, Delia Owens, and director Olivia Newton were subsequently canceled by a Sony representative.

Individuals linked to the movie were likewise part of the conversation. Songwriter Taylor Swift penned the tune “Carolina” for the film adaptation, earning several nominations, such as a Grammy nod for best song composed for visual media and a Golden Globe nomination for best original song. This connection with “Where the Crawdads Sing” ignited discussions on social media, with some readers questioning Taylor Swift’s involvement due to Delia Owens’ background. Reddit threads like “Six Degrees of Controversy” and comments such as “it would be unrealistic to think she’s oblivious to the fact that she’s working with (or on a project related to) people with questionable histories or beliefs,” reveal divided opinions on the matter. A similar debate unfolded regarding Taylor Swift’s part in the movie “Amsterdam,” directed by David O. Russell.

2024-12-30 20:31