Berlin Renames Street After Black Philosopher Anton Wilhelm Amo
Berlin has renamed a street in its Mitte district to honour Anton Wilhelm Amo, a Black philosopher who significantly influenced German thought in the 18th century. The renaming, which faced legal challenges, was declared legally binding by the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court. The change was celebrated with a festival at Hausvogteiplatz, organised by the Decolonize Berlin association.
The street, previously known as Kaiser Wilhelm Straße, was officially unveiled on August 23, 2025. The renaming is part of Berlin's ongoing effort to decolonize its memory policy, following similar changes to Petersallee, now Maji-Maji-Allee and Anna-Mungunda-Allee. Amo, born around 1703 in what is now Ghana, was the first known African-born philosopher in Germany. He taught at universities in Wittenberg, Halle, and Jena, and is notable for his work in philosophy and early critique of racism.
The renaming was contentious and faced legal challenges, but the Berlin Administrative Court dismissed the lawsuit, making the change legally binding. The old street signs will remain crossed out for six months, serving as a reminder of the city's past. This renaming is not an isolated incident; Berlin has previously renamed streets due to discriminatory and racist content.
The renaming of Kaiser Wilhelm Straße to Anton Wilhelm Amo Straße is a significant step in Berlin's ongoing decolonization efforts. The city honours a key figure in German philosophical history while acknowledging and addressing its past. The change, while contentious, has been legally validated and is now a permanent part of Berlin's streetscape.
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