Hans J. Massaquoi, author of "Destined to Witness: Growing up Black in Nazi Germany," responds to questions at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum public program entitled, "An evening with Hans J. Massaquoi."

Photograph | Digitized | Photograph Number: N06210.15

Overview

Caption: Hans J. Massaquoi, author of "Destined to Witness: Growing up Black in Nazi Germany," responds to questions at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum public program entitled, "An evening with Hans J. Massaquoi."

The interview was conducted by Oral History Director Joan Ringelheim.
Date: 2001 February 27
Locale: Washington, DC United States
Photo Credit: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Photo Source: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Copyright: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Keyword: AFRICAN-AMERICANS AFRICAN-AMERICANS EVENING WITH (PROGRAM) INTERVIEWS MASSAQUOI, HANS MEYERHOFF THEATER PUBLIC PROGRAMS RINGELHEIM, JOAN
Photo Designation: EVENTS -- Public Programs -- Interviews -- Evening With

Biography: Hans J. Massaquoi is the author of "Destined to Witness: Growing up Black in Nazi Germany."
The son of a well-to-do African and German nurse, Massaquoi lived a privileged life befitting the grandson of a diplomat. Following Hitler's rise to power, he became a target of Nazi racial policies, was denied admission to secondary education, and was automatically barred from any professional career. He developed skills necessary to survive a regime consumed by racial arrogance and hatred. Massaquoi immigrated to the United States in the early 1950s. He served in the U.S. Army and later became a journalist for Johnson Publishing, where he was managing editor of Ebony magazine.