Slaves Photos Demanded by Ancestors

A short story about ancestors suing for ownership over slaves’ photos.

It was interesting to learn that Harvard may be sued over slave photos as a lady claims distress over her ancestors being depicted. Slavery carries with it much pain, the fact that it happened along with all its atrocities against humanity and pictures on display may belike opening an old yet-to-heal wound.

A Connecticut woman, Tamara Lanier, was given the approval by Massachusetts’ highest court to file a lawsuit over widely published historical photos owned by Harvard. The pictures are among the earliest showing enslaved people in America.

However, according to the courts, the photos are the property of the photographer and not the subjects in the photos. Which does not give the rights to the descendants in any manner. However, the court ruled that the descendants of enslaved people could seek accountability for what their ancestors endured. The family wants the photos returned to them.

The family of the descendants depicted in the photos feel that Harvard is profiting from these photos as they are not the rightful owner. According to the people in the photos, Renty Taylor, a South Carolina man, and his daughter, Delia Taylor, were photographed shirtless by Louis Agassiz, a Harvard biologist who was commissioned to shoot these two from different angles. They were a part of his theories on racial differences to support slavery in America.

Harvard is considering the whole matter in its entirety and how it will affect its historic connection to slavery and being the recipient of millions of historical objects from around the globe within its museum and library collections.

The Lanier family feels they are entitled to the photos because the photos were taken without the consent of Renty Taylor and Delia Taylor and probably against their will. They have demanded the photos return to them because Harvard is profiting and has exploited the portraits.

In conclusion, this is like a slippery slope. What happens if the Taylors did give consent for the photos or were paid a meager amount for the photos, or were coerced into taking the photos? Guess, the court will decide on the evidence presented.

Nowadays, if someone takes a photo of someone and profits from it, then the subject in the photo can take the photographer to court. Therefore, for the Lanier family, if they can prove their claim, then perhaps their ancestors’ photos will be returned to them, or if not Harvard may become their permanent home. Harvard making a profit from the displaying or any usage of these photos has irked the Lanier family. Should the family be privy to some of the profits and retroactively? Only time will tell in this court case.

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