Skulls once subject to racist study in Germany are laid to rest in New Orleans

Описание: Skulls once subject to racist study in Germany are laid to rest in New Orleans

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A profound injustice, silently buried for over a century, has finally seen the light of day. The skulls of nineteen Black individuals, victims of racist studies in Germany, have been returned to New Orleans. This repatriation marks a significant step forward in acknowledging and redressing a dark chapter of history.

These individuals—Marie Louise, Hiram Malone, Samuel Prince, and many others—died at Charity Hospital in New Orleans during the 1870s. Their heads were removed and sent to Germany, where they were studied as specimens by phrenologists, who falsely believed skull shape indicated intellectual or racial superiority. The University of Leipzig, acknowledging the unethical acquisition of these remains in a colonial context, facilitated their return in a two-year process involving city, state, and academic institutions. Their return culminates in a multi-faith memorial and jazz funeral—a powerful expression of the community's reverence for these individuals and a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit. This international restitution highlights the ongoing struggle for justice and the imperative to address injustices of the past, and the fact that many remains still linger in collections across the U.S. and abroad.


This poignant ceremony, led by Dillard University historian Eva Baham, honored the lives of these nineteen individuals, whose identities were pieced together from historical records. The service included prayers from diverse religious leaders, a powerful African drum and dance performance, and a jazz band accompanying the procession. The repatriation, students read, represents a journey across continents—a journey back to the city of God. The takeaway is clear, history is not to be ignored, but used to forge a better future, while acknowledging the harm of the past.
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