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Post by Aj_June on Dec 17, 2019 19:10:06 GMT
"I've always been painting monkeys for five to six years, so I thought I'd make this work to teach that we're all apes, I made the western monkey with blue and white eyes, the Asian monkey with almond-shaped eyes and the black monkey positioned in the center, where everything comes from. The monkey becomes the spark to teach everyone that there is no difference, there is no man or monkey, we are all alike. If anything we are all monkeys."I see nothing wrong with the above symbolism that has been used. In a fight against racism or any issue, one has to be open-minded. A few years ago the NBA team called Sacramento Kings were going to distribute t-shirts that had monkey printed on them. A black player called DeMarcus Cousins objected to it (he was a Sacramento player then) and t-shirt distribution was stopped. The actual reason why those t-shirts had monkeys drawn on them was that it was Chinese year of the monkey. But the immidiate reaction of people was to think it was to taunt blacks. In my parent's house, a huge Swastika is drawn and it will be the first thing you will notice when you are near the house. It is definitely not meant to be anti-semitic. India is the biggest Jew supporting country but Swastika has a different meaning there. We all are related to monkeys. We had a common ancestor. There is nothing wrong with monkey symbolism unless the intent is wrong. As it is with racism, which is why this is a poor choice. I see your point, as I see theirs; but it's too easily misconstrued. The swastika is a classic example of why you have to be careful with your message branding, particularly in the international community. It's seen as a positive symbol in India, but have your parents bring their swastika to a synagogue in another country and try to explain that it's a positive thing. Well, the idea should be to dispel racism and not the symbols that have been maligned by racists or any other group. Monkey is a perfect representation for unity of humanity in my opinion. That said it depends on how people take something. I wouldn't automatically perceive something as racist. People do not think the same. I will give benefit of doubt to the artist who gave the statement I put in blue colour in my previous text. Wouldn't cast doubts on his intentions. Italians do not have to align with all the rest of western world in how they believe in symbolism.
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