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“Sambo Without Tears” by Georges Sadoul [translated by Samuel Beckett]
©2020 Ken Quattro
Below is an article written circa 1930 by the legendary French film critic, Georges Sadoul. Sadoul was a journalist and one of the first to begin reviewing films as an art form.
Georges Sadoul
In this article, however, he took a look at the presentation of Blacks in French comics. He specifically contrasts the representation of Blacks in America with their counterparts in France. Unlike many of his countrymen at the time, Sadoul didn’t subscribe to the view that racism was just an American problem. He attributes it to colonialism and he goes on to give examples.
Sadoul’s basic contention is that the discrimination Blacks endured was basically an extension of the class struggle between the proletariat (that is, the working class) and the industrial system that exploited them. It should be noted that Sadoul was a Communist.
This article was translated from its original French by Irish writer, Samuel Beckett and it appeared in the NEGRO ANTHOLOGY (1934). I encountered this rare and historic book while doing my research on my book INVISIBLE MEN and it is a fascinating, if dated and ideologically skewed, read.
Be forewarned that there are offensive stereotypes and ethnic slurs used throughout this article. In order to maintain historical accuracy, I have left in these words, including the universally offensive “N-word.” Please read this with that understanding.
WARNING! SENSITIVE AND POSSIBLY OFFENSIVE MATERIAL IN THIS POST!
Sambo Without Tears by Georges Sadoul, page 1
page 2
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