Silence-Fox vs. Wolf's Greeting - Rheinland-Pfalz doesn't think about ban on Seal-Foxes
In Rhineland-Palatinate schools, the controversial Silence Monkey similar to the Wolfsgruß is not under discussion. The ministry of education in Mainz stated this in response to an inquiry. Therefore, there are no plans to ban the Silence Monkey, which calms down, as it has been established in primary schools without any negative intention.
The Wolfsgruß usually expresses loyalty or sympathy with the Turkish ultra-nationalist Ulkücü-Movement and its ideology. During the Football-EM, this sign caused a stir because a Turkish national player used it during goal celebrations, and Turkish fans here displayed it as well. The Turkish national player Demiral was suspended by UEFA for two games due to the sign.
The Silence Monkey is formed by thumb, middle, and ring fingers into a sort of snout, while index and little fingers form something like ears. According to media reports, the Silence Monkey is to be banned from kindergartens and schools in Bremen.
Gewerkschaft: A ban should be well explained
The teachers' union VBE in Rhineland-Palatinate emphasizes that the Silence Monkey must always be seen in context. Children could adopt the hand sign uncritically, which could potentially lead to problems, said the Landesvorsitzende Lars Lamowski. "A ban is a supposedly simple solution that needs to be well explained."
Many teachers have already used other methods or addressed the topic within political education to speak with students about the meaning of the Wolfsgruß and clarify it, said Lamowski. "So, it can also be worked out together with the class whether the Silence Monkey is to be continued to be used or if one agrees on another signal."
- Despite media reports suggesting a ban on the Silence Monkey in BMBF-funded schools in Bremen, the Ministry of Education in Rhineland-Palatinate has no plans to follow suit, as the Wolfs' greeting does not spark similar controversy in their schools.
- The silence Monkey, a hand gesture similar to the Wolfsgruß, was not a topic of discussion in the BMBF-funded schools of Rhineland-Palatinate due to its lack of connection to extremist ideologies.
- At the European Football Championship, the Wolf's greeting, or Wolfsgruß, became a source of controversy, leading to the suspension of a Turkish national player, Demiral, for two games due to its association with Turkish ultra-nationalist extremism.
- In response to increasing concern about the Wolfsgruß sign and its potential connection to extremism, the teachers' union in Rhineland-Palatinate, VBE, emphasized the importance of context when addressing the issue in school, advocating for a thoughtful and informed approach rather than a blanket ban.
