The Tragic Legacy of Ota Benga

This chapter examines the harrowing history of human zoos, with a focus on Ota Benga, a Congolese man exhibited during the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. It reveals the brutal circumstances of his capture and the dehumanizing treatment he endured, reflecting broader themes of exploitation and racism in America. The narrative poignantly captures the struggle for humanity amidst a backdrop of objectification and societal indifference.