New Orleans holds burial of repatriated African Americans whose skulls were used in racist research
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NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans celebrated the return and burial of the remains of 19 African American people whose skulls had been sent to Germany for racist research practices in the 19th century. Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscription Get exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading.
AI Summary
Main Idea: Dillard University helped New Orleans bury the remains of 19 African Americans whose skulls were taken for racist research and returned from Germany.
Key Points:
- The burial took place at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial in a multifaith service that included a jazz funeral, honoring the people’s dignity.
- The remains were linked to phrenology, a discredited racist practice that falsely claimed skull shape showed racial traits.
- The people likely died of natural causes in New Orleans in 1871 and 1872, and some may have been recently freed from slavery.
- Dillard researchers and city leaders said more work is needed to find descendants and continue restoring the victims’ names and history.
Impact on the People
Negative Impact
The story shows how racist science and poor oversight can still leave families and communities dealing with painful, unresolved losses.
Positive Impact
Dillard University and the University of Leipzig helped return the remains, which can support public trust and give communities a more respectful burial process.
How did each entity affect people?
Rate how each entity in this article affected the American people.
- Primary:Dillard Universityeducational / research institution
Candidate Entities7 candidates · 5 weighted vote min · 70% decision
- Dillard Universityeducational / research institutionPrimaryEvaluated
Spearheaded receipt of the remains on behalf of the city and led repatriation efforts.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Eva BahampersonMajorAI selected
Historian who led Dillard University’s efforts to repatriate the remains.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Monique GuillorypersonMajorAI selected
President of Dillard University and a key quoted decision-maker in the repatriation and burial.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - University of Leipzigeducational / research institutionMajorAI selected
Central institutional partner that initiated contact to help return the remains.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Charity Hospitaleducational / research institutionContextCandidate
Historic institution where the individuals are believed to have died and where the story’s historical context is centered.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Hurricane Katrina Memorialcultural institutionMinorCandidate
Named burial site and commemorative location tied to the memorial service.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Kumbuka African Drum and Dance Collectivecultural institutionMinorCandidate
Performed during the memorial service and is part of the public ceremony described.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold
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