VI: Meeting-Up explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Race and Identity

  The chapter explores the complexities of racial identity among Negroes in Marseilles, with debates about Garveyism, French vs. American treatment of blacks, and the pride of African heritage.

• Colonialism and Exploitation

  The café proprietor reads from La Race Nègre, detailing abuses in French colonies: forced conscription, forced labor, humiliation, and mutilation, highlighting the brutal realities of colonial rule.

• Alienation and Modernity

  Ray feels a negative reaction to Europe's romance, finding it only in books and museums, while America represents a living, hot-breathing romance. The chapter reflects on the alienation of the modern Negro in a European port.

• Community and Comradeship

  The camaraderie among the Negro seamen and vagabonds in Marseilles is evident, as they gather in the café, share news, and debate their collective future.

Characters to notice

• Ray

  Ray shows Banjo his writing and takes him to the Corniche, reflecting on the romance of Marseilles and the Negro presence there.

• Banjo

  Banjo expresses interest in Ray's work but quickly loses interest, preferring to discuss vagabond life. He argues with the café proprietor about Marcus Garvey.

• Bugsy

  Bugsy comments on the police beating, comparing it to experiences in Dixie.

• Malty Avis

  Not directly present in this chapter, but referenced in the context of the gang's activities.

Key passages

• “Banjo wanted to see what Ray’s work was like and Ray took him up to his place, which was a little up beyond the Bum Square. Banjo had been interested in Ray’s talking about his work, but when he saw the sheets of ordinary composition paper, a little soiled, and the shabby collection of books, he quickly lost interest and changed the conversation to the hazards of the vagabond panhandling life.”

  Banjo was curious about Ray's writing, but upon seeing the messy papers and worn books, he lost interest and shifted to talking about the difficulties of panhandling.

  This shows Banjo's pragmatic view of life versus Ray's artistic aspirations.

• ““Ain’t no such thing!” exclaimed Banjo. “Marcus Garvey was one nigger who had a chance to make his and hulp other folks make, and he took it and landed himself in prison. That theah Garvey had a white man’s chance and he done nigger it away. The white man gived him plenty a rope to live, and all he done do with it was to make a noose to hang himse’f. When a ofay give another ofay the run of a place he sure means him to make good like a Governor or a President, and when a darky gets a chance⁠—I tell you, boss, Garvey wasn’t worth no more than the good boot in his bahind that he done got.””

  Banjo dismisses Marcus Garvey as a failure who squandered his opportunities and ended up in prison, arguing that when white people give a black man a chance, they expect him to succeed like a governor or president, but Garvey wasted it.

  Banjo's critique of Garvey reflects a skeptical view of black leadership and the limits of white patronage.

• ““There is no difference between Italians and Frenchmen,” said the barkeeper. “They are all the same white and prejudiced against black skin.””

  The café proprietor claims that Italians and French are equally prejudiced against black people, dismissing any distinction between them.

  This highlights the universal nature of racism in the eyes of the proprietor.