During some research, I came upon a news article regarding the University of York (UK). It dated back to 2021 when according to various news agencies, the depiction of the 3 Wise Monkeys was taken off the University’s website for reasons that are still somewhat bewildering.
Evidently, this perplexing circumstance began even earlier, when in 2007, a group of so-called activists claimed that the monkeys were derogatory – a slight towards people whose skin colour is darker that the average Anglo-Saxon. I fail to see the connection – especially in light of the fact, the origins of these monkeys was in India – a country renown for its cast system.
It has also been suggested that the monkey with its hand over its eyes was turning a blind eye to evil. So what is it? Are monkeys derogatory or do they symbolise apathy?
This whole affair seems to be somewhat ironic in as much as, on one hand, this took place at a respected University, a place of education and higher learning. On the other hand, we have people inflicting their ignorance upon their educators, who in turn – took the path of least resistance instead of explaining to the protestors what the symbolic three monkeys represent.
It’s not my place to suggest that these educators are ill-qualified to teach at a university, or if they simply wanted to avoid any bad publicity that might be thrown in their direction. Regardless, this isn’t a simple case of the tail wagging the dog, but more about the flea wagging the tail that’s waging the dog.
The University of York, one would assume by its very nature, has an ample supply of intelligent academics. But apparently not.
So, Unlike the University of York, we decided to symbolically display the 3 Wise Monkeys and the teachings they bring to us all.
Further reading – Brass Monkeys
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