FRANTZ FANON, Black Skin, White Masks and the Black Bodily Schema

In this episode I will be drawing primarily on Frantz Fanon’s essay “The Fact of Blackness” from Black Skin, White Masks to discuss what he describes as the disruption of the black bodily schema within colonial relations. As I shall show, Fanon has a particular set of dramaturgic devices within his prose that establish his essayistic persona as some form of tragic character but distinct from what we find in Aristotle’s Poetics. The implications of his description will then be used to illuminate aspects of Shakespeare’s Othello from last week, and also to look forward to Tayeb Salih’s Season of Migration to the North next week.
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[@mymunkee22]

I'm doing research on reimagining Greek tragedy from the African perspective, and was recently introduced to Fanon's Black Skin, White Masks. This analysis could not have been more timely and compatible to my research. Thank you so much!

[@fabbeyonddadancer]

What does that mean exactly(African perspective)?

[@maameadwoaatta8789]

"Fanon is the protagonist of his own psycho-existential tragedy." The comparison with Aristotle provides a clearer window into Fanon. Another brilliant one.

[@CriticReadingWriting]

Thanks, Maame. I am glad you are enjoying the episodes. More anon.

[@johnrandall5009]

I find it hard to acknowledge the reality of my experience and hermeneutic as a black man, preferring to focus on religious faith as the consumate expression of reality. For me to daily recognize the effects of colonialism brings with it a sort of post traumatic suffering I do not want to re-live. Thoughts?

[@ralphellectual6975]

I remember that we both read that book on Fanon's dialectic (separately) about the same time. As I recall, in the English translations, the word "Negro" was used, not the other word. I'm not sure I got the comparison with Aristotle, but in any case, Aristotle did not have to ask the kind of questions Fanon did. As for the assault on the self via colonialism, I just happened to revisit the Zimbabwean author Dambudzo Marechera, which adds to that the augmentation of that terror by the abuse the colonized heap on one another.

[@CriticReadingWriting]

Thanks for this, Ralph. Yes, the translations differ slightly on whether they use "negro" or the n-word. But the effect, I think, is similar. The objective is ultimately denigration. If we ever meet, I will explain to you the link with Aristotle. And the differences also. That would be a great pleasure.

[@MsKalapi]

Thank you Prof for this wonderful lecture, right on time when students here (Kolkata, India) are doing Frantz Fanon's text and are quite confused. Thanks for making it easy to digest for both teachers and students in the non-African and non-western world. I have forwarded this to a lot of students. Waiting for for more lectures.
Kalapi

[@CriticReadingWriting]

Hi Kalapi, I am glad that your students found it useful. Fanon is such a difficult person to teach, especially Black Skin, White Masks.

[@nunyatettey640]

Always learning something new from you Prof...keep up the good work

[@CriticReadingWriting]

Thanks, Nunya. I am glad you are enjoying them.

[@NIM11a]

Very important channel for numerous reasons.

[@gladysagyeiwaadenkyi-manie3691]

thanks a lot, Prof Quayson.

[@CriticReadingWriting]

Thanks, Agyeiwaa. Much appreciated, as always.

[@miramacanovic6435]

Brilliant ❤

[@kevingeorge3423]

Thanks a lot, prof Quayson!

[@CriticReadingWriting]

You are welcome, Kevlin!

[@LincolnBohn]

Great work. Thank you :D

[@lisatheboysmom]

this was simply fantastic

[@akwasiaidoo1078]

Another awesome presentation!!!

[@CriticReadingWriting]

Thanks, Akwasi. Your support is much appreciated.

[@sapphicana6637]

although im very critical of Fanon for some of his ideological errors (like his support for Nikita Khruschev) i support him as an extremely influential voice for the black community and for pan africanism