Mohrenstrasse shines again: Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Strasse inaugurated!

Mohrenstrasse shines again: Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Strasse inaugurated!

On August 23, 2025, a remarkable renaming took place in Berlin: Mohrenstrasse now bears the name Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Strasse. This step was seen by a large number of initiatives as an expression of profound social change. Deutschlandfunk reported that the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court lifted a stop previously imposed by the Berlin Administrative Court in an expedited procedure prior to the renaming.

Residents had complained against the renaming, convinced that the original name was historically valuable. However, the district council had already decided on the renaming step in 2020, thus reacting to the racist connotations of the previous name, such as this ZDF added.

Honoring a legacy

The new name honors Anton Wilhelm Amo, one of the first Afro-descended scholars in Europe in the 18th century. Born in Ghana, he came to Europe as a child and taught at well-known universities such as Wittenberg, Halle and Jena. In 1734 he became the first African-born scholar to receive a doctorate and made a name for himself with his work, including on Descartes' mind-body dualism. He returned to Africa in 1747 and probably died in what is now Ghana German wave highlights.

This renaming is not without resonance in society. The political scientist and human rights activist Joshua Kwesi Aikins already advocated in 2020 for more than just name changes as part of decolonization. Civil society groups have also long been calling for an adjustment to the name of Mohrenstrasse and the subway station of the same name. Aikins embedded the discussion about the term “Moor,” which comes from Greek and has negative connotations, into a broader context: The street is reminiscent of the practice of bringing enslaved Africans to Germany and reflects a sad history.

Send a signal

The renaming was celebrated at a street festival on August 23, a date that also marks the International Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. The Green MP Tuba Bozkurt described the change as an important signal for respect and diversity.

However, not everyone agrees with this move. The Berlin CDU expressed criticism and criticized the insufficient involvement of local residents. Such controversies testify to the ongoing tensions associated with the discussion about racism and the culture of remembrance in Germany.

The renaming to Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße is therefore not just a simple name change, but a step towards a respectful appreciation of history and identity, which seems more necessary than ever today.