The hill I will die on: Pigeons are working-class heroes and deserve some respect |
Is there something I would figuratively die on a hill for? Yes, there is – and as it happens, I’m sitting on a literal hill right now, feeding them. Pigeons. Why pigeons? Because it’s about time they get the respect they deserve.
I like pigeons. Because they’re like me, working class. You can tell pigeons are working class because every pigeon looks knackered. It’s about this point in the conversation that people politely make their excuses and slowly back away (literally) while avoiding eye contact. No doubt, reading this, you are doing the same (figuratively).
But aren’t you just a bit curious why, out of all the birds, pigeons are the most tolerant of humans? It’s certainly not mutual. No other bird faces so much hostility from us. Spikes, netting, “do not feed” signs – all things we inflict on a bird whose greatest crime is exhibiting an impressive lack of shame when it comes to scrounging our leftovers. Pigeons eat that bit of sandwich you’ve dropped on the ground with the same energy that one friend of yours thinks carrying only their drink back from the bar is an act of service.
But we’re the tolerant ones, I hear you cry. Who told them they could live alongside us so brazenly?........