Oriental Institute embraces post-colonial terminology; to be Renamed “Institute of Exotic Studies”

By Ayesha Wadhawan

Dec. 24, 2013

As part of a comprehensive program of modernization, the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute has adopted a title more suited to the post-modern era: “The University of Chicago Institute of Exotic Studies.” Administration officials arrived at the name after many months of labored consultation. Already, the change is being celebrated by the university community and others as a dismissal of outdated colonial categorizations.

The Institute’s original name, chosen during its establishment in 1919, has been attacked as a relic of a less informed time. “The word ‘Oriental’ has fallen out of favor,” said James Johnson, Matthew L. Bowpatch Distinguished Service Professor of Alternative Medicine. “Back in the early 1900s, pioneering explorers often used arbitrary classifications such as ‘oriental’ to describe the lands of the East. But it’s 2014 now, and imperialism is long-since dead – there’s no need to retain old terms reflective of nonexistent power dynamics.” A University representative added, “Nobody wants to be labeled racist – that’s why we decided to rename the Institute, drawing from the unobjectionable, even reverential, vocabulary of today’s popular media. ‘Exotic’ ’ emphasizes how special and unique the East really is. The University seeks to recognize those qualities.”

The decision has been received positively. “Yeah, I’m really glad about this change,” said Will, a second-year Native Cultures major who chose to specialize in “Pray”after dabbling in “Eat” and “Love.” “People need to stop dismissing Eastern philosophy. If you’d just witness a tea ceremony in Japan, or attend an Indian wedding, you’d see that these regions are in tune with the fundamental essence of the universe. Unlike us, they’ve retained the accumulated knowledge of their ancestors. That’s why I got this magic carpet tattoo on my back – to remember to be one with the universe, like them.”

The Institute has commemorated the name change with new murals at its entrance. Says lead architect Hans Stark, “The murals seek to highlight the feral yet enlightened qualities of the east. A perfect balance between soothing and stimulating – just like a good chai tea latte.” Plans for the design are yet to be released to the public, but an anonymous source revealed they are likely to include a large Om with a yin-yang symbol for the dot, a picture of Aladdin, and the Institute’s new name in Papyrus font.