Human Zoos: America’s Forgotten History of Scientific Racism

Human Zoos: America’s Forgotten History of Scientific Racism tells the story of how many Indigenous people were displayed in exhibitions throughout America during the twentieth century, particularly at the time of the St. Louis World’s Fair and during the early operation of the Bronx Zoo.

Visitors to these exhibits often ridiculed the Indigenous people on display, and organisers labelled them as the ‘missing link’ connecting apes and humans. Some of the most respected scientists of the early twentieth century organised and supported these public displays, and leading newspapers of the time often promoted the events.

The documentary shares the tragic life story of Ota Benga, a Congolese Pygmy man who was purchased by a missionary and put on display in America. Newspapers written by African American authors strongly opposed his mistreatment. The film also discusses how some people have used Social Darwinism as a means of degrading other human beings.