The name Monkeypox has a negative connotation and is a microaggression that is highly associated with Black and Brown people in several ways. For instance, several media outlets claim the virus occurs mostly in Black and Brown communities which only creates yet another unnecessary, negative stereotype that stigmatizes certain groups. Additionally, it further increases global divide and also takes us several steps back by indirectly calling Black and Brown people monkeys.

While the virus is Zoonotic in nature, according to a recent World Heath Organization (WHO) article, the pathogen scientifically has nothing to do with monkeys that we could find during our research.  And although the WHO article further noted the pathogen has origins in Central and West Africa, it is by no means a black and brown thing. Thus referring to the virus as Monkeypox and claiming the virus is most prevalent amongst black and brown groups is not only misleading but is rather insulting regardless of the fact that it is said to have been first discovered in monkeys in 1958 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Moreover, WHO has set Best Practices for Naming Human Infectious Diseases as found in an article on their website. Paragraph six of the article covers, "terms that should be avoided in disease names." Not only did animals makes the the list but Monkeypox specifically made the list as an example. Why then is the term still being used?

We propose to have the name expeditiously changed to Zoonoticpox and the term Monkeypox banished across the board, i.e., diagnosis, treatments, vaccines, health articles, media outlets, etc.

The results of this name change could do the following:

1) Stifle negative stereotyping aimed at Black and Brown communities in association with this zoonotic virus

2) Possibly reduce racial hate crimes which could develop from said stereotyping

3) Reduce the chances of increasing stress, anxiety, and depression in the Black and Brown communities caused by feelings of guilt and shame

4) Could lessen the chances of further racial divide caused by blame and misunderstanding 

Please take action with us today and sign this petition and be a part of the fight for change.

Thanks for your participation.

And to all those suffering from this horrible virus, we sincerely wish you well.

In Peace, Love & Light