M****straße in Berlin: A Fight for Change
M****straße in Berlin has been at the center of African-led initiatives fighting for its renaming for decades. Recently, there was a significant breakthrough: the city officially accepted the proposal to rename the street Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße, and celebrations erupted as the new name was unveiled.
But what’s the reality on the ground?
Nothing. Nothing has happened. Residents have been filing petitions against the renaming, causing the process to be put on hold.
So why are these initiatives fighting so hard to change the street name in the first place?
The Origins of the M-Word
The M-word comes from the Middle High German word „mürre,“ which originally meant „dark-skinned“ or „Moorish“ and was used in the 17th century. Historically, „Moor“ referred to people from North Africa, who were predominantly Muslim and had dark skin.
During slavery, Europeans and German settlers deported Africans to Germany, enslaving them and calling them by the M-word. These individuals were reduced to servitude and referred to as „Hofmohren,“ often dressed in military costumes and assigned roles like guarding palaces or institutional buildings.
One such figure was Anton Wilhelm Amo, who was brought to Berlin and forced to work as a Hofmohr. Due to his „good behavior,“ he was granted special rights, which allowed him to pursue an education. Amo eventually became a prominent African philosopher, studying at the University of Halle and becoming one of the first Africans to earn a doctorate in philosophy at a European university.
Why Renaming Matters
Renaming M****straße after Anton Wilhelm Amo acknowledges his contributions to philosophy and his unique place in German history. It is also a step toward dismantling systemic racism. The M-word and similar racially biased names are relics of a dehumanizing past, and removing them is a small but powerful gesture.
Language shapes our perceptions of others, and symbolic changes like renaming streets can play a role in recognizing historical injustices while fostering a more inclusive society.
Join our tours in the African Quarter, Humboldt Forum, and Black Queer Feminism that speaks on the importance of renaming and recognition of history.
Until next time…