Imagine being whisked away from your home under false promises only to become an unwilling icon of objectification. That’s the tragic story of Sarah Baartman, a Khoikhoi woman from South Africa. Born in 1789, her life took a dramatic turn in 1810 when she was brought to Europe, supposedly for wealth and fame. Instead, she faced exploitation, primarily due to racial and gender discrimination, showcasing how deeply entrenched biases were—and still can be.
Sarah's journey began in Southern Africa, specifically the Cape Colony area, where she was born. Lured by tales of prosperity, she agreed to travel to London, accompanying a British doctor named William Dunlop. However, upon her arrival, Sarah was put on display as a 'freak show' attraction because of her physical features—particularly her large buttocks—a trait resulting from her Khoikhoi heritage, which was cruelly dubbed the 'Hottentot Venus' by Western audiences.
Touted as an exotic curiosity, Sarah was exhibited across Britain and, later, France. Her body became a spectacle for objectification, drawing abusive crowds eyeing her through the lens of colonial stereotypes and dehumanizing pseudoscience. Here was a woman reduced to entertainment, her humanity overshadowed by her supposed 'otherness.' These degrading exhibitions offered Sarah little financial respite despite agreements suggesting she’d benefit from these displays. Instead, most of the profit lined the pockets of her exploiters.
The exploitation of Sarah Baartman was fueled by a toxic mix of imperialism, racist ideology, and patriarchal control prevalent in her era. Her forced displays served as a grim testament to the power dynamics that defined scientific and social perspectives of the time. Unfortunately, the treatment she endured was not unique—many women of color were subjected to similar fates due to the dehumanizing perceptions of Western colonizers.
Amid these injustices, she caught the eyes of Napoleon’s surgeon, Georges Cuvier, who sought to use her for ‘research’. When Sarah passed away in 1815, her body was dissected with her remains displayed in Paris' Musée de l'Homme. It wasn't until late in the 20th century that her remains were recovered, following significant public outcry.
In 1994, Nelson Mandela began efforts to bring Sarah back to South Africa, and in 2002, more than a century later, she was finally laid to rest in the Eastern Cape Province, marking a moment of symbolic justice. Her return to her homeland, though posthumous, represented a broader acknowledgment of the injustices she and others like her faced.
Sarah's story resonates deeply with today's Gen Z. It’s a tale of a world grappling with its colonial past, its racist undertones, and the intersection of race, gender, and dignity. Her tale, sadly, mirrors the continuing struggles against objectification and racialization faced by women of color across the globe.
There are opposing viewpoints that some historians hold—that Sarah had more agency than depicted and might have partly understood the transactions she entered into. But these perspectives often overlook the undeniable power imbalances of her time. Regardless of her awareness, Sarah was still caught in an oppressive system she could hardly navigate without exploitation.
For young activists today, Baartman's history is a compelling call to action against inequality. It provides a stark reminder of how systemic discrimination was not only rife but legal and socially acceptable less than two centuries ago. By understanding her story, Gen Z can contribute to more inclusive dialogues about race, body positivity, and equality.
Her story opens discussions about how historical figures have been mistreated, challenging us to approach the past with empathy, caution, and an honest lens. It forces society to reckon with uncomfortable truths: how pseudoscience once fueled barbaric treatment and how women, especially from marginalized backgrounds, were denied basic human dignity.
Sarah Baartman's legacy isn't simply one of victimization; her story is now one of resilience and eventual restitution. It reflects on the progress we've made and the path we must continue to forge. Her life, indelibly marked by injustice, is now a beacon highlighting the necessity for change. For young people, this is an empowering charge to keep questioning, advocating, and transforming the world into a more equitable place.