Carl Linnaeus: A Bifurcated History of Binomial Nomenclature & Scientific Racism

In 1753, Carl Linnaeus published a scientific classification system still in use today.  In taxonomy, binomial nomenclature is the formal method of naming living things by giving each a name composed of two parts – genus and species. This system is fundamental to the study living things and for that Linnaeus should be recognized.  However, Linnaeus’s system was also used to justify horrific acts throughout history.

In his tenth edition of Systema Naturae (1758), Linnaeus began using this system to identify mammals, and more specifically, humans.  Dubbed Homo sapiens, Linnaeus separated humans into categories where he described each “type” of human by physical characteristics, as well as behavioral and personality characteristics – something he had not done for other species.

By being published as science, Linnaeus’s descriptions of these different groups was used as a way for society to justify slavery, ethnic cleansing, and colonization – all taking place during this time – through scientific racism, a “scientific tradition in [which] biology is used not only to prove the existence of race, but also, to maintain existing social hierarchies” (Revolution and Ideology). These ideas have repeatedly been disproven and universally rejected by the modern scientific community, but their impact can still be felt today.

For these reasons, to be more inclusive and welcoming to all Woodward Park guests, on March 29, 2022 the Tulsa Garden Center board of directors unanimously voted to remove Linnaeus from our Teaching Garden name and to leave this statue in place to serve as an educational tool and reminder of our history.

Statue created by Rosalind Cook in 2005.

Artist Statement: "Linnaeus was influenced by his culture of the day' a thinking that people other than Caucasians are "less than" which tragically still often permeates our world. Flawed as Linnaeus was in his thinking, it can not be denied that he accomplished a great scientific platform that has benefited all mankind. For that reason I commend Tulsa Garden Center for maintaining the gardens and sculpture but with the clear understanding of the truth". Rosalind Cook

Why: To be more inclusive and welcoming to all Woodward Park guests, the Tulsa Garden Center board of directors unanimously voted to drop the Linnaeus name from our Teaching Garden program. This decision was made after 2+ years of research and intentional work through our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, and we believe that this change will serve as a stronger foundation to move our organization forward and fulfill our mission and vision.  

Timeline: A research report on Carl Linnaeus was written in March of 2020 by our Marketing Manager, Dylan Axsom. This impetus for the report was another co-worker, Meredith Jones, who came to the CEO in January of 2020 after having just finished reading a book by Ibram X. Kendi - Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America. Meredith had serious concerns about the Teaching Garden’s namesake, so the issue was discussed at a staff meeting and Dylan began his research in earnest. Unfortunately, the report came out just as COVID shut everything down, and we were not able to pick it back up until May 20, 2021 when our DEI Committee was finally able to meet. This issue was definitely high on the list of discussion items at that meeting, and then the DEI Committee met an 5 additional times over a period of 9 months, resulting in a recommendation to the board of directors to remove the Linnaeus name.

Research: Excerpts below from the March 2020 research report by Dylan Axsom: Analyzing Carl Linnaeus’ Role in Systemic Racism. download the full report here

Over the past several years, the murders of people of color by law enforcement have brought the issue of institutional racism - defined as “the systematic distribution of resources, power and opportunity in our society to the benefit of people who are white and the exclusion of people of color” to the forefront of American society. Both individuals and institutions have been reexamining what it means to be inclusive, diverse, and equitable in a world where not all racism is plain to see. Problems with promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within an institution can occur in many places, be it the recruiting or hiring processes, methods of operating, and even in the name of the institution itself.

As many other businesses have now done, the Tulsa Garden Center at Woodward Park has taken time to self-reflect and evaluate what more we can do to promote DEI in both our non-profit and the community as a whole. Upon this review, we have learned that despite being a nonprofit with a mission of horticultural education for all, a figure we have long idolized as a champion of the garden world is also a major figure in the foundation of systemic racism and exclusivity: Carl Linnaeus.

 In the tenth edition of Systema Naturae, published in 1758, Linnaeus began using this binomial nomenclature to identify mammals, starting with primates, and more specifically, humans. Dubbed “homo sapiens,” Linnaeus separated humans into categories where he described each “type” of human by physical characteristics, as well as behavioral characteristics – something he hadn’t done for other species. The four prominent categories Linnaeus identified were Americanus, Asiaticus, Africanus, and Europeus.

Americanus were described as a “copper-coloured” people who had straight black hair, wide nostrils, harsh faces, and scanty beards. Linnaeus wrote that they paint themselves with “fine red lines,” were upright, choleric – meaning irritable, obstinate – meaning refusing to change despite persuasion attempts, and that they were governed by custom – as opposed to being governed by law. This group of people are known today as Native Americans in North America.

Asiaticus, who we would call Asians, were described by Linnaeus as “sooty, melancholy, and rigid” with black hair, dark eyes, and wearing “loose garments.” He said that they are “severe, haughty, and covetous” - meaning they are strict or unfriendly, act arrogantly superior and disdainful, and are stingy or greedy. He noted that they are also “governed by opinion”.

Africanus, or black people, were detailed as black with frizzled black hair, flat noses, silky skin, swollen lips, and being “anointed with grease.” For social characteristics, Linnaeus said Africanus are crafty, lazy, relaxed, phlegmatic – having a calm disposition, negligent, and governed by caprice, or impulse.

Lastly, Europeus, modernly called white people, were described as fair, sanguine – having a complexion that allows blushing on the skin, and brawny. They were described as having yellow or brown flowing hair, blue eyes, and being clothed investments – official garments such as robes worn during church services. Socially, Linnaeus said that Europeus were gentle, inventive, acute – being able to recognize fine distinctions, and were governed by laws.

Today, seeing these descriptions from the 1758 can sound very familiar as almost all of what was published on Africanus, Asiaticus, and Americanus can now be recognized as racist stereotypes for each of these respective groups in the modern day. While some argue that it is unfair to judge the standards of the 1700s to those of today, Linnaeus’ work was flawed, even for his time, as he had not physically observed any of these groups himself apart from Europeus. Nor were his findings backed up by any of his own empirical data to prove the observations. Linnaeus’ descriptions came solely from what he heard or read from other’s observations, exemplified in his writings of Americanus – not all Native Americans painted themselves with “fine red paint.”

With an understanding of the context in which Carl Linnaeus was writing, some argue that he himself was not racist, but was rather a product of his time and that what others did with this information is of no fault to him. Though he may not have set out to create the foundations of systemic racism, it is hard to argue that point one way or another. Instead, in modern society and as a community organization, we must review Carl Linnaeus’ work in terms of what legacy it created and what consequences it has had. Though Carl Linnaeus brought a vital piece of scientific organization to the world, he also provided a basis that became the foundation for discrimination of entire groups of people. By publishing unfounded ideas and biases as scientific fact, his work was etched in history and has influenced global views on people of color.

As the Tulsa Garden Center moves forward to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization, it is important that we take the time to review our choices that remain prominent today, even as simple as the naming of a building. Being a nonprofit that strives to make everyone feel welcome within Woodward Park’s 45-acre campus, it is critical that we consider the effects those choices have on people, and that we are prepared to take action in order to rectify mistakes.

Respectfully,

Ross Swimmer, Board President
Laura Chalus, CEO
Andy Fusco, Director of Horticulture
Leigh Taylor, Garden Manager

To Learn More: Below are additional sources of information which were used during our research process.

Strategic Plan: To read a copy of the Tulsa Garden Center’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, please find page 23 in our Fall 2021 Newsletter, In the Garden.