Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

New Orleans Buries African American Skulls Used in Racist Research
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
06 Jun 2025
🖨️ Print Article

Black Agenda Radio · New Orleans Buries African American Skulls Used in Racist Research

Nineteen Black people who died at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, in December 1871 and January 1872 were decapitated and their skulls were removed and sent to Leipzig, Germany for study in the racist pseudo-science known as phrenology. In 2023, the University of Leipzig contacted New Orleans officials and offered to repatriate the skulls, which were recently returned. On May 31st, a jazz funeral was held for these men and women, and the remains were properly interred. Our guest is Dr. Eva Baham. She is a professor at Dillard University in New Orleans and Chair of the Repatriation Committee.

Louisiana
Germany
Colonialism
African America
Racist Medicine

Related Podcasts

BAR Radio Logo
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Black Agenda Radio May 8, 2026
08 May 2026
In this week’s segment, we discuss a military attack carried out by Western-backed insurgents against the African nation Mali and the imperialist a
ACLU
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Louisiana v. Callais and the Black Vote
08 May 2026
The Supreme Court ruling in the case Louisiana v.
Lousiana
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
The Struggle for Black Electoral Power in Louisiana
08 May 2026
C.C. Campbell Rock is a New Orleans-based journalist.

More Stories


  • Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Rizvana Bradley’s Book, “Anteaesthetics”
    27 Sep 2023
    This week’s featured author is Rizvana Bradley. Bradley is Assistant Professor of Film & Media Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Her book is Anteaesthetics: Black Aesthesis and…
  • Why Haiti Must Follow the Current Political Lead of Francophone Africa
    Pascal Robert
    Why Haiti Must Follow the Current Political Lead of Francophone Africa
    27 Sep 2023
    Haiti has suffered under western occupations and interference in its affairs. The people of that nation are struggling to break free from that domination and can look to mass movements in Francophone…
  • Clau O'Brien Moscoso
    Boluarte’s Visit to US for UN General Assembly Met with Rejection by Peruvian Community and Allies
    27 Sep 2023
    Peru's illegitimate coup president couldn't escape protest and condemnation when she attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York. 
  • Mark P. Fancher
    In Niger Imperialism Is No Match For the People’s Power
    27 Sep 2023
    The people of Niger have mobilized in mass to defend their country from U.S. and French imperialist interference.
  • Erica Caines
    All Black Feminisms Ain’t Created Equal
    27 Sep 2023
    Black feminism should be focused on the struggle against colonial structures and not solely on issues of personal empowerment. 
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us