History is the codpiece worn by those who count themselves as the better of humanity consequently its ideology grants permission to brutalize those it has decided are subhuman. Then blots them out from the historical record. David Kutz’s four-part documentary The African Burial Ground: An American Discovery 1994 clearly illustrates this particular facet. His portrayal of the stunning discovery of 18th century early New York’s “Negro’s Burial Ground” is thought provoking and emotionally charged. (Kutz 1994) This remarkable find sheds light on New Amsterdam’s historical prejudice gaining insight into the lives of African slaves through their skeletal remains. This production offers a glance into the plight of New York’s contemporary citizens who fought the government in order to recognize, uphold, and win honor for those who laboured to build one of America’s greatest cities.
Ironically the burial ground’s discovery came from a land of no significance to prime, for an intended thirty-four-story federal office building. An environmental impact statement set off archeological test excavations, by producing an 18th century map delivering necessity to substantiate or disprove survival of a “Negro’s Burial Ground” (Kutz 1994).
Results, by a single cursory document, came out from Republican Alley. In early October of 1991 “eleven bodies had been found” (Kutz 1994). When excavation ceased, due to community and political complications, more than four hundred men, women and children were exhumed from the oldest cemetery containing African Americans in the United States.
Outlandishly the near by Collect Pond was meticulously documented as it served the Dutch as a fresh water supply, through British rule, to a sewer. In 1811 the pond wa...
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...-thousand “individuals’” in what was called the "Negroes Burial Ground" to its modern-day resting place the national historic landmark, “The African Burial Ground” (Kutz 1994).
Slavery undoubtedly mars those who suffered its cruelty. David Kutz proves slavery’s affect scars future generations whether they are the descendants’ of the captives or progeny of the free. History’s superiority scarcely mentioned the “Negro’s Burial Ground” while in contrast modern day members of New York fought in defense and reverently won respect for those “individuals” now buried in "The African Burial Ground” (Kutz 1994). However there are other American historical battles yet to be fought. For example, Americans still celebrate Columbus Day.
Works Cited
The African Burial Ground: An American Discovery. 1994. Produced and directed by David Kutz. Brooklyn: Kutz Television, Inc.
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