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Parents Furious After Library Uses Actor In Monkey Costume With Fake Penis To Encourage Kids To Read
Parents in East London, England were up in arms when an actor wearing a monkey costume—complete with a fake penis—showed up at the local library as part of a program meant to encourage children to read.
The Summer Reading Challenge is a popular education contest held by libraries in the UK.
This year's theme for the Goodmayes Library in Redbridge was "wild world heroes" and the actors who showed up to launch the contest included someone dressed as a strawberry, another as a frog and a monkey.
The costume for that last one...
I would really love a detailed breakdown of the commissioning process whereby Redbridge council commissioned the Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey as a means to teach children to read.pic.twitter.com/RfVA42fLyv— Janice Turner (@Janice Turner) 1626003308
That one actor, in particular, more than rose to the occasion to fit the "wild" descriptor.
Perhaps not in the best way...
I mean how many librarian/councillor eyes had to behold the Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey before he was released into the wild to delight the children of Redbridge? pic.twitter.com/SbkDerdDZb— Janice Turner (@Janice Turner) 1626003562
As seen in a video circulating on the internet, the actor in question wore a rainbow monkey costume with a prominent bare backside and his nearly impossible to ignore manhood flopping around.
People were not happy with the unnecessary appendage attached to the simian costume making an appearance at an event geared towards children.
Apparently this is meant to encourage kids in Redbridge to pick up reading for summer. Please tell me the rationale behind these indecent costumes that were shown to families and done so publicly. Is this really necessary? @Jas_Athwal @RedbridgeLivepic.twitter.com/6I8DBcmDM3— Has Ahmed (@Has Ahmed) 1625942397
Can a word capture the spirit of an age? Images certainly can. In future, when we think back on the zeitgeist of 2021, we may remember Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey, and wonder how on earth we descended to thinking that this was suitable entertainment for children.pic.twitter.com/rleD1rQoR4— Dr Jane Harris (@Dr Jane Harris) 1626083564
Who booked them? What #safeguarding policy was followed? What policies are there to protect a) children b) vulnerable adults c) the reputation of the library & council? Who were the performers, how can we warn others not to book them? The sexualisation of children is concerning.— Susan \u201cThe Actual Susan\u201d McDonnell \ud83d\udc9c\ud83e\udd0d\ud83d\udc9a (@Susan \u201cThe Actual Susan\u201d McDonnell \ud83d\udc9c\ud83e\udd0d\ud83d\udc9a) 1625991082
The controversy prompted a formal apology from the Redbridge Libraries Twitter account.
"During an event put on at the library today there was a performance by a Carnival Arts Company."
"Unfortunately one of the animal costumes was inappropriate which we were not aware of at the time of booking. We deeply apologise for the offence caused. This is being looked into."
They added a "further statement" would be made.
"This event was arranged by Vision and not Redbridge Council."
"Upon receiving complaints passed on by the Leader and Deputy Leader, we ceased the performance and are truly apologetic for the distress caused to residents. This will never happen again."
1/2 During an event put on at the library today there was a performance by a Carnival Arts Company. Unfortunately one of the animal costumes was inappropriate which we were not aware of at the time of booking. We deeply apologise for the offence caused. This is being looked into— Redbridge Libraries (@Redbridge Libraries) 1625953102
3/3 happen again.— Redbridge Libraries (@Redbridge Libraries) 1625953158
Although, as they say, the internet is forever.
Earlier social media posts seemed to indicate the Redbridge Libraries were aware and approved of the costume flaunting its assets.
This is a slight change of tonepic.twitter.com/zAFU5AswiM— ripx4nutmeg (@ripx4nutmeg) 1626024385
The Redbridge council issued a statement to the Evening Standard, saying:
"We are utterly appalled by the unacceptable event at Redbridge Libraries on Saturday organised by our independent leisure contractor, Vision."
"The contractor had commissioned characters to support the start of the Summer Reading Challenge, but the costume in question was wholly inappropriate for the intended audience"
"A full and thorough investigation into how this incident happened has been launched and stringent action will be taken. We sincerely apologise for the offence and distress this has caused."
Vision have apologised to residents for an event earlier today that included an inappropriate costume. The council leader and deputy have expressed their strong condemnation to Vision for this costume and the offence it has caused.https://twitter.com/RedbridgeLibs/status/1413975910433366020\u00a0\u2026— Redbridge Council (@Redbridge Council) 1625954576
It remains unclear how the "Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey" joined the roster of characters to launch the Summer Reading Challenge.
The literary competition designed to encourage summer reading among primary school children started in 1999.
The young participants are given stickers as they finish each book out of the required six to read on the Summer Reading Challenge sheet and are awarded medals and certificates based on that year's theme.
But to ensure there's no more monkey business in the future, Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal said all upcoming performances—which were organised by a partner charity—were canceled.
I was appalled by the event our independent leisure contractor organised at Redbridge Libraries on Saturday. \n\nI have launched a full investigation into the incident and will put stringent measures in place to ensure something like this can\u2019t happen again.\n\nFull statement:pic.twitter.com/0RtHL4hjVz— Jas Athwal (@Jas Athwal) 1626093044
The fact that all attention for the wholesome event was hijacked by the whacky primate was just plain bananas.
But, here we are.