The OI Gets Rebranded, Drops ‘Oriental’ From Name – WTTW (Chicago)

Theo van den Hout, interim director, says there are two main reasons for the change – to prevent confusion and avoid causing offense. “Most people who visit the Institute, when they hear Oriental Institute, they think of the Far East, China, Japan. And then when they enter the building and see the museum collection, what they see is exclusively ancient Middle Eastern art and artifacts and culture,” he said. “The other element is that the term ‘Oriental’ over time has taken on a pejorative and negative meaning.”
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Mary Ladd
3 years ago

Why not rename the museum Fertile Crescent Institute, it’s the term the founder used. Or does “fertile crescent” have a pejorative meaning these days too?

debtsor
3 years ago

I’d like to see them repatriate all those artifacts to the countries with dictators in the middle east. That’s equity, you goofs. GIVE IT ALL BACK.

Oriental IS NOT A RACIST TERM. But the orient doesn’t really reflect the middle eastern nature of the artifacts.

I’ve been to the museum a few times, it’s a cool place. When I mentioned in the past few days that I have visited the University of Chicago, it is always because of my trips to this amazing museum.

Pat S.
3 years ago
Reply to  debtsor

Chicago does have amazing museums – whose doors we’ll never darken again.

I value my safety; Chicago/Cook County/Illinois does not.

And I’m torn on the topic of returning artifacts, fortunately, it’s a decision I’ll never be asked to weigh in on.

Giddyap
3 years ago

niversity Of Chicago’s Oriental Institute Woke-Cancels Its Own Name

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