“Black girl” was such a thought provoking and rather sad
movie. To me, the significance of Diouana’s mask highlighted Sembene’s
anti-racism and anti-colonialism. Diouana gifted the mask to the family she
worked for, and it seemed like they only appreciated it for what it was worth.
I remember either the husband or wife ask the other, “Do you think it’s real?”.
It was just an object, just like the way Diouana was treated in France. To
Diouana the mask signified where she came from and held many memories. I was
actually happy when Diouana took her mask back because it was like Diouana
saying, “you don’t deserve this, just like you don’t deserve my service”. She
stood up for herself.
I think Sembene’s quote from
“Dialogues with Critics and Writers” perfectly sums up “Black Girl”. Diouana
stood up for herself and literally took charge of her own life, with suicide. I
was honestly shocked by her suicide. I thought she was just going to walk out
of the apartment and go home. She noticed the unfair treatment, thinking she
was going to take care of the children, but became a servant to the husband and
wife. Of course we all think that suicide was a little over the top, but
Sembene wanted to prove a point. When you refuse, you take charge of your life.
Heather, I completely agree with your point about the mask. I couldn't believe when she gave it to them they were contemplating if it was actually the real thing. It almost seems like an insult to the French, as if to say that they are materialistic. I was happy when she took it back too, but then I felt like she was incredibly weak when she chose to just end her life instead of living it her way. I can see, however, that that act was like her final "ha ha, now you clean this mess up" and I agree that it was to simply prove a point.
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