Returning Home: 19 Skulls of Black Americans Repatriated to New Orleans After Century and a Half in Germany
After more than 150 years, the remains of 19 Black Americans are finally returning home to New Orleans from Germany. The skulls were used in the 19th century as part of now discredited racial science, and their repatriation marks a significant step towards acknowledging and honoring the lives of those who were exploited and dehumanized in the name of pseudoscience.
The skulls were originally brought to Germany by the renowned scientist Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, who used them to support his theories of racial hierarchy. Blumenbach believed that the skulls of Black people were inherently different from those of white people, and he used this false belief to justify the subjugation and exploitation of Black individuals. The skulls were later used by other scientists to further racist ideologies, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and contributing to the dehumanization of Black people.
The repatriation of these skulls is a powerful act of reconciliation and remembrance. It is a recognition of the harm that was done to these individuals and a step towards healing the wounds of the past. The return of these remains to their rightful resting place in New Orleans is a symbolic gesture of respect and dignity for those whose lives were unjustly taken and whose bodies were used as tools of oppression.
The repatriation ceremony, which will take place on Saturday, will be a somber yet celebratory occasion. The skulls will be laid to rest in a traditional jazz funeral, a New Orleans tradition that honors the lives of the deceased with music, dance, and remembrance. The ceremony will be a chance for the community to come together to pay their respects to these individuals and to reflect on the legacy of racism and injustice that continues to impact Black Americans today.
The repatriation of these skulls is a reminder of the ongoing legacy of racism and discrimination in the United States. While the use of racial science may have been discredited, the effects of this harmful ideology continue to be felt in our society today. The repatriation of these remains is a call to action to confront and address the systemic racism that continues to oppress and marginalize Black Americans.
As we lay these 19 skulls to rest in New Orleans, we must ask ourselves: what are we doing to dismantle the legacy of racism and injustice that continues to plague our society? How can we ensure that the lives of those who were exploited and dehumanized in the name of pseudoscience are never forgotten? The repatriation of these remains is a powerful reminder of the work that still needs to be done to achieve true justice and equality for all.