A street whose name is no longer accepted today and is associated with racism and discrimination: In Berlin-Mitte, between Friedrichstraße and Hausvogteiplatz (parallel to Behrenstraße and Leipziger Straße), lies the former Mohrenstraße. It has existed since 1707, i.e. for over 300 years. Since the 1990s, there have been debates in Berlin about renaming the street – mainly initiated by activists, civil society groups and African organizations. Residents, on the other hand, took legal action against the renaming on the grounds that the name – the term “Mohr” was historically a term for people of African descent – was originally meant to be respectful.
In August 2020, the Berlin-Mitte district council (SPD, Greens, Left Party) officially decided to change the name. The move was originally planned for October 2021, but was only actually carried out at short notice and literally at the last minute last Saturday after the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court gave the green light in summary proceedings. Speakers from various initiatives emphasized that this was a sign of social change and not just a formality. On Saturday, a ceremony was held in honor of the renaming on the newly named Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße, which honors the philosopher of the same name, who was one of the first scholars of African descent to work in Europe in the 18th century. The unveiling of the street sign was accompanied by speeches and music. Hundreds of people joined in the celebrations.
Stefanie Remlinger (Greens), the mayor of Mitte, was delighted with the renaming of Mohrenstraße: “I would like to thank Decolonize Berlin and all the initiatives, the Black initiatives, who have fought – for so long that you almost have to be ashamed of it.” To great applause, she added: “We have won.” At the same time, Remlinger warned that the process was not yet complete: “I believe that we as a German society as a whole still have a lot to do when it comes to decolonization.”
Political celebrities were also among the 500 or so participants at the street party: former member of the Bundestag Gesine Lötzsch and Berlin MP Tobias Schulze (both Left Party), former Green Party senators Bettina Jarasch and Daniel Wesener, the chairman of the Berlin Green Party Philmon Ghirmai and Berlin MP Tuba Bozkurt (Green Party). The new street name was ultimately a clear sign of acceptance and diversity – precisely because the old name was a daily reminder of exclusion for many people.
