Oxford University Librarian Gets Fired Because Of the "Harlem Shake"

As the "Harlem Shake" dance continues to sweep the internet, it wasn’t all that surprising or extraordinary when a group of 30 Oxford University students decided take their own spin on the phenomenon in their school’s library — fancy dresses and “Free Pussy Riot” signs included. What was, however, extraordinary and frankly, uncalled for, was the prestigious university’s senior staff’s response. All identified students involved had been fined by the dean and the librarian who was working when the video was made, Calypso Nash, had been sacked for allowing the students to do the "Harlem Shake."

Now, students of the university are looking into Nash’s dismissal, and are calling for her reinstatement. Their reasoning is simple and true — Nash wasn’t participating in the dance or the video, she just had been the one to be working when the video was taken. Second, even if she had been involved in the video, to fire someone, who, according to the students was a great librarian and genuinely loved what she did over something so trivial is unfair and is a gross overreaction.

The student who organized the dance and video, Alexander Fisken, along with his girlfriend Anna and housemate, Anders, had no idea that this small and insignificant joke would be blown so severely out of proportion.