#SarahBaartman, nicknamed “Hottentot Venus” was a Khoikhoi woman born in South Africa who was tricked into being a freak show in a circus in London. Because of “abnormally” large buttocks, genitalia, round hips and lips she was exhibited in a cage and alongside animals. Her “trainer” would order her to sit or stand in a similar way that circus animals are ordered. At times Baartman was displayed almost completely naked, wearing little more than a tan loincloth, and she was only allowed that due to her insistence that she covered up what was culturally sacred. For extra pay you could even poke her with a stick or your own finger. On December 29, 1815 she passed and a cast of her body was made meanwhile her brain, genitals and skeleton were put on display to show how different her body was from an average “Caucasian woman.” This continued for over 150 years until Nelson Mandela was elected president and demanded for her remains to be finally put to rest in 2002. It is said history often repeats itself. Woman, especially black woman need to stop repeating history. We are worth more than our bodies. Nothing more needs to be said. #blackhistory #loveyourself
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 10:16:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015