While the disrespectful treatment of the cemetery and its descendant community by
Euro-American controlled institutions had not qualitatively changed since the 1600s, the
African-descended community had acquired greater political influence than it had in the
days of the Doctors Riots. In July of 1992, the Mayor of the City (the first African
American elected to that office), New York State Legislators, and other members of the
Congressional Black Caucus in Washington were empowered to step in and, despite
opposition, brought a halt to construction on behalf of the ground-swell of community
concern in New York, and in keeping with Federal law. Also by virtue of public pressure,
the New York Landmarks Commission organized a successful effort to establish the original
six-acre site as a National and Historic Landmark. Yet 427 human remains and
artifacts had already been unearthed, and the building of the main part of the office
tower was allowed to proceed. About one-third of the city block planned for construction
was to be used solely for memorialization. A Federal Steering Committee, consisting
primarily of African-American leaders, was established to determine the future fate of the
site.
It was under these circumstances that The Cobb Biological
Anthropology Laboratory of Howard University, the leading African-American research
university, presented its research proposals to the responsible agencies and directly to
community activists. The previous archaeological activity had removed remains without an
adequate research plan. Recognizing the great historical importance of this site, the
earliest and largest anthropological find for interpreting African American history, we
worked rapidly and collectively as a community of scientists to ensure that an alternative
research design was available, one that could better inform the descendant community about
the potential value of conducting research on the remains that had already been unearthed.
In keeping with the long tradition of activist scholarship and public engagement among
African-America scholars, our principle was to seek an informed decision on the part of
our community. Guided by our understanding of the efforts of indigenous peoples
everywhere, we realized that it was wrong of scientists to arrogate to ourselves the right
to determine the disposition of human remains and sacred objects against the wishes of
descendants. We would abide by, indeed welcome, the decision of the community as to
whether there would be research or immediate reburial of remains. However, if there was to
be research, it would be done according to scientific standards of accuracy. After a long
process of public information sharing, permission was granted, the Federal Government
provided funding, and the remains were brought to Howard University for a study that will
end with reburial and memorialization by the year 2000.
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