Hostility and Quest for Identity
Blacks in Marseille are treated with contempt and antipathy. As a result, they feel isolated and alienated. The identity of the Black race is almost lost and this worries Ray. Ray says that he would hate a future where the identity of Black people in predominantly white race countries is lost in so-called miscegenation. Black people in Marseille are marginalized and are subjected to oppression. McKay attributes national identity and racial formation to the social and economic disparities witnessed in France. Blacks’ way of life completely differs from that of whites.
The Theme of Prostitution
Prostitution is abundant in the city of Marseille. When Banjo arrives in the city he meets a prostitute called Latnah. Latnah is a brown-skinned woman but practices prostitution to make ends meet. Indeed, Latnah cares for Banjo contrary to another white prostitute who scorned him when the money ran out. These shreds of evidence show that prostitution is really practiced in Marseille.
The Portrayal of Hegemonic Power
The dominance of the white race catalyzes the dissemination of hegemonic ideas in Marseille. For instance, Ray opines that black people are not welcome in hotels and cafes when a tourist visits the city. Black people have no means to air their views. The white race dominates the media and they spread their ideas without antagonism.
Poverty and Social Class
The poverty associated with blacks as well as their low social status in society makes them vulnerable to verbal insults. Banjo and his friends spend most of their time on beaches looking for employment and begging for money. The book portrays them as poor people who are used by whites for self-gain.
The Theme of Mode of Being
Despite the challenges they face, Banjo and his friends maintain their friendship. McKay depicts blacks as people who love each other because they share the little they have. Banjo and his group of boys sing and dance together without any sense of self-consciousness. Actually, they perceive each other as brothers and friends. Black people in the city of Marseille don’t hate each other.
