who started the rumor that monkeys like bananas??

https://www.quora.com/Why-do-monkeys-like-bananas

Let's make a distinction between wild monkeys and domesticated monkeys.

Wild monkeys eat leaves, flowers, nuts, insects and fruits in the wild. But bananas are really a cultivated, domestic crop. The only time wild monkeys would encounter bananas is if they are near civilization or are in a zoo.

But that's probably the reason -- most humans only see monkeys when they are near civilization or more likely in a zoo where they would be seen eating bananas. Much like humans, monkeys enjoy the sweet taste of the bananas. From there, references in popular culture (Curious George, Tarzan, cartoons, etc.) have made the association that all monkeys must regularly eat bananas.

It's all monkey business!

What do you mean they don't? They do eat them. They don't even remove the peel. I've seen it in a zoo myself

Racism.

Jamaican people consume a good amount of plantains.

Jamaicans were often compared fo monkeys cause of racism.

You can connect the dots.

Monkeys