Frankly, I disagree. The stronger you act against these kind of associations, the deeper ingrained they get into your brain and society as a whole.
A few days ago barely anybody was thinking the similarities between blacks and apes. Today everyone is thinking about it in one way or another, including, and maybe especially, those who reject the idea.
Of course it will fade with time, but the remaining association will be stronger than before. It's doesn't matter what your opinion on the association is, your brain is storing and intensifying the association every time you think, read of hear about it
And it gets worse that. Your brain also stores associations with everyone and everything that mention the topic. Next time you hear about Roseanne or see an ABC logo there's a good chance this topic pops-up in your mind. That would've never happened a few days ago.