The Political and Cultural Meanings of Blackness in Come Back to Africa and La Haine
Overview
This essay compares the representations and meanings of blackness in the films 'Come Back to Africa' and 'La Haine.' The author argues that blackness in both films symbolizes systemic oppression, lack of freedom, and the struggles faced by marginalized communities—African workers under apartheid and immigrants in modern France respectively. The paper examines how blackness functions as a political, cultural, and aesthetic marker of suffering, isolation, and deprivation across both cinematic works.
What this essay covers
- Introduction establishing historical context of blackness through African-European contact and the slave trade
- Analysis of Come Back to Africa and Zachariah's experience under apartheid systems requiring passes for employment
- Analysis of La Haine depicting immigrant struggles and riots near Paris, with blackness representing lack of freedom and societal marginalization
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Historically, the idea of blackness became conspicuous with the contact of Africa and Europe. This distinction became more pronounced during the slave trade. As Africans moved from their original homeland, so did their politics, cultures, and clothing. It is essential to note the similarities in the political, cultural, and aesthetic meaning of blackness between the films ‘Come back to Africa’ and ‘La Haine.’ The movie ‘Come back to Africa’ by Mente Aberta displays Zachariah's story, who represents the plight of black people (Aberta, 2019). The Zulu man could hardly get a decent job since required to get a pass, which he could not get without employment. Therefore, Zachariah is technically not permitted to do any white-collar jobs. Black people were subjected to slavery by the systems that were initially set to control them. Their clothing, artifacts, and culture represent their lives as slaves.
Furthermore, in the film, ‘La Haine’ blackness represents the struggles, pains, disparity, and agony that immigrants faced (Bux Leñero). The film starts with footage of urban riots in a place near Paris. These Riots led to the suffering of three friends who got caught up in trouble while trying to avenge the death of one of their kind. Politically, immigrants are continually living in resentment of the laws set to control them. These laws do not allow them to express themselves but instead deprive them of their rights as human beings. Moreover, blackness represents the lack of freedom experienced by immigrant communities.