We got used to the two dots above the O on the “Mohrenstraße” street sign. But now the Mohrenstraße in Berlin-Mitte is being renamed-or more precisely, it should be renamed, because the official renovation celebration on Saturday was stopped by residents, the counter-suits of which are further pending. The signs with the new name “Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße” are already hanging, the old name is over glued red, the district office has lodged a complaint in court, and the Association Decolonize Berlin, which has operated the renaming together with other postcolonial initiatives for years, wants to continue to prevent the planned “Amofest”.
“Mohr” is also a German last name
In this respect, everything is Berlin’s normal: projects stall, debates turn in a circle, but it is still celebrated. But the Mohrenstraße case also says a lot about the internally torn Germany torn in symbol questions. It starts with the expression “Mohr”, from which the postcolonials feel insulted. Since the early Middle Ages, the term has referred to the residents of North Africa (“Mauren”) and later all people with a black skin color, but it also has a last name in families who have no African ancestors.
The Mohrenstraße, in turn, was built around 1700 at a time when numerous Africans were employed as chambermears, that is: Christian christened servants and musicians, at the Prussian royal court. Her name was therefore not a mowing (there was already the N-word back then), but, like the Jäger- or French street, a sign of recognition for a population that is based in the young Friedrichstadt. The new name sponsor, Anton Wilhelm Amo, born in today’s Ghana, never lived in Berlin, after his training at the Wolfenbütteler Hof in Wittenberg and Halle, he taught philosophy before returning to his homeland. The work with which he obtained the master degree in 1730 was entitled “De Iure Maurorum in Europe”: “On the legal position of Moars in Europe”.
Newer colonial historians disagree, whether AMO, as was assumed earlier, as a slave of the Dutch West India company or, as is often common at the time, as hostile to Germany from a West African ruler. In this case, his family owned slaves himself and participated in trade with European colonial powers – which he would explicitly excluded as the namesake according to the Berlin Road Act, which explicitly excludes the “pioneer of slavery”. So it stays complicated in Berlin, even if activists and district politicians would like to be easy. Historian Götz Aly formulated the quintessence in the justification of his model lawsuit rejected in July: “Street names teach us today’s own city. They also teach us humility before history.” There is nothing to add.
To further illuminate teh complexities surrounding the renaming of Mohrenstraße, consider the following data points, providing a clearer understanding of the situation adn the historical context:
| Aspect | Details | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Original Street Name | Mohrenstraße (“moor Street”) | Historically, the term “Mohr” evolved, referring initially to North Africans and later to people with Black skin, causing offense in modern context. |
| Proposed New Name | Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße | Named after Anton Wilhelm Amo, a Ghanaian philosopher who studied in Europe during the 18th century. Highlights a figure of intellectual achievement and resistance to enslavement. |
| Historical Context | Construction circa 1700 | Coincided with the employment of Africans at the Prussian royal court, reflecting the era’s social dynamics and, arguably, early forms of labor exploitation. |
| Key Players in the Debate | Decolonize Berlin, District Office, Residents | Reveals a conflict between those advocating for remembrance and those pushing for symbolic reparations. |
| Current Status | Ongoing legal challenges | The renaming is in limbo due to resident opposition and pending court decisions, highlighting the complexities of historical reckoning. |
This table encapsulates the core issues, providing a digestible summary of the situation and its nuances. It enhances reader comprehension and serves as a quick reference point for the critical details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
To address common queries, here is a detailed FAQ section, designed to offer clarity and improve search engine visibility:
Q: Why is Mohrenstraße being renamed?
A: The renaming is driven by concerns that the name “Mohrenstraße” is offensive, as the term “Mohr” has evolved into a derogatory term for people of color. It’s a reevaluation of historical symbolism in Berlin.
Q: Who was Anton Wilhelm Amo?
A: Anton Wilhelm Amo was an 18th-century philosopher from Ghana who studied and taught in Europe. his works, like “De Iure Maurorum in Europa,” provide a crucial perspective on the rights and legal standings of people of color during that time.
Q: Why is there opposition to the renaming?
A: Some residents and other groups oppose the renaming for a variety of reasons, which include concerns about the relevance of the Berlin Road Act and its exceptions.
Q: What is the Berlin Road Act?
A: This is the piece of legislation that provides a framework for renaming streets in Berlin.
Q: What is the central issue at the heart of this debate?
A: The central issue revolves around how a nation reckons with the past when it comes to its street names.
Q: what are some synonyms for “complete”?
A: According to Merriam-Webster [[1]], some synonyms for “complete” include “close,” “conclude,” “end,” “finish,” and “terminate.”
Q: How can street names teach us about the world?
A: As historian Götz Aly explains,”street names teach us today’s own city. They also teach us humility before history.”
