Longwood ‘Monkey Do’ Photo: New Pics Elicit Strong Reactions

MIDDLE ISLAND, NY — New photos have emerged in the "monkey do" case surrounding the Longwood Central School District. The photos, taken during previous years' zoo field trips and obtained by News 12 Long Island, show both students of color and white students posing in the same position as one that initially sparked backlash, which depicted four black children with the "monkey do" caption.

John Ray, the lawyer representing the black students in a potential $12 million lawsuit against the district and its workers, said the photos depicting multi-ethnicity students serve as further evidence of racism, while a former student said she never saw the teacher, Edward Heinrichs, behave in a racist manner.

"These new photos are yet further evidence of the disgraceful, racially-provocative intentions of the white teachers and school district," Ray said in a news release. "African-Americans should never be labeled as monkeys, even amongst whites. These white teachers intentionally created a show to mimic old, racially-offensive depictions of evolution from monkey to white man. These teachers knew this. They tested the waters with the first few photos containing minorities. When they got away with it, they eliminated the whites and went for the racist gold in this year's slides."

Ray represents Ray, Mitev & Associates, LLP, a Miller Place-based law firm. A notice of claim was filed last week, which could lead to a $12 million lawsuit.

"The African-Americans were betrayed by the school and these teachers," Ray said. "There is a price to pay for their lapse in judgement."

Jakheem Moye, one of the students pictured in the photo, called it degrading and told News 12 it was shocking when he saw the "Monkey Do" caption.

Cassie Kraus, a former Longwood student who is white, said she had Heinrichs in 2004, and that he never behaved in a racist manner.

"He was very approachable and kindhearted," she told Patch. "He put all of himself into teaching and making sure the students understood what was being taught as well as having fun at the same time. As far as the new pictures go, you can see it was all races in the other photos, so it had nothing to do with color. The students and parents took it their own way."

Beverly Dean, one of the speakers who addressed the school board at Longwood High School’s auditorium, said the slideshow could scar the four boys "forever," Newsday reported.

"What are we going to do for that student when they are 30 years old and have a flashback?," she asked.

In a statement Jan. 8, Michael Lonergan, superintendent of schools, called the photo "culturally insensitive" and an "unfortunate lapse of judgment." He and the school administration met with Heinrichs, members of the community and families involved in the photo.

"We are proud of the diversity at Longwood Schools, and we will continue to provide sensitivity training to our students and staff to raise awareness of our cultural differences," he said. "Longwood is committed to providing an educational environment that is nurturing, supportive, safe, and conducive to learning."

The school declined to comment further citing pending litigation. It has not responded to Patch's repeated requests for comment on the photos.

The law firm said the latest batch of unearthed photos are circulating throughout the district's community.

"White community activists claim that these photos exonerate the zoology teacher, slideshow creator and the school," the law firm said.