A shocking and offensive incident occurred at a college artwork exhibition over the weekend when a racist posterboard featuring NBA star LeBron James and monkeys was put on display. The controversial piece, a parody of a cereal commercial called “Monkey Premium,” was created by a student from the New Hartford Central School District in New York. The artwork, which had a headline of “Eat Monkeys, Bounce Like Monkeys!” depicted James in his Lakers uniform next to a bowl of cereal.
The posterboard included text promising that consumers of the food, shaped like monkeys and bananas, would “jump 2-5 inches higher for about 2 hours” after eating it. The display sparked outrage due to its clear references to racist tropes, prompting Superintendent of Schools Cosimo Tangorra Jr. to issue a statement condemning the artwork.
Tangorra Jr. expressed disappointment that the racist work was not only created but also allowed to be displayed. The student responsible for the artwork has been identified and contacted by officials, but details about the student and any potential consequences remain private. Tangorra Jr. emphasized the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students and vowed to work towards ensuring that everyone feels respected, included, and safe within the school community.