Who was ota Benga
Ota Benga was a Congolese man who became the subject of public attention and controversy during the early 20th century. Born around 1883 in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, Benga belonged to the Mbuti pygmy people, an indigenous group known for their small stature.
Benga's life took a tragic turn when his village was attacked by the Force Publique, a military force under Belgian colonial rule. He was captured and sold into slavery, eventually ending up in the United States. In 1904, Benga was brought to America by Samuel Phillips Verner, a businessman and explorer who had been commissioned by the St. Louis World's Fair to bring back "exotic" people from Africa.
Upon arriving in America, Benga was initially exhibited at the fair as part of an anthropological exhibit called "The Pygmy Village." The exhibit aimed to showcase various indigenous peoples from around the world, presenting them as living examples of evolutionary theories popular at the time. However, after the fair ended, Benga's situation took a distressing turn.
Unable to return to his homeland due to ongoing conflicts and political instability, Benga found himself stranded in America. He was taken under the care of Verner, who arranged for him to be housed at the Bronx Zoo in New York City. At the zoo, Benga was placed on display in a cage alongside monkeys and other primates.
This dehumanizing exhibition sparked outrage among some members of the public and African American community. Activists and religious leaders protested against Benga's treatment, arguing that it perpetuated racist stereotypes and violated his dignity as a human being. The controversy surrounding Benga's captivity led to widespread media coverage and public debates about racism and colonialism.
In response to the growing backlash, Benga was eventually released from the zoo and taken in by Reverend James M. Gordon, an African American clergyman. Gordon provided Benga with a temporary home and education, helping him to adjust to life in America. However, Benga's struggles continued, and he faced discrimination and marginalization in his new surroundings.
Tragically, Benga's mental health deteriorated over time, likely due to the trauma he had experienced. In 1916, at the age of around 32, he took his own life.
The story of Ota Benga serves as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted racism and exploitation that existed during the era of colonialism and scientific racism. It highlights the dehumanization and objectification of indigenous peoples for the sake of entertainment and pseudo-scientific theories.
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