This session focuses on the representation of Senegal’s Île de Gorée and particularly, the Maison des Esclaves, using scenes from the film as a starting point to develop deeper discussion about Gorée’s historical, social, and cultural significance, and the different disciplines/methodological approaches that interweave in contextualising, understanding, and theorising Gorée as a site of remembrance and its impact on visitors. Understanding the relationship between the site and its present-day visitors in particular requires an intersectional approach. This understanding permits deeper analysis of the triangular migration patterns the film sets up and allows for links to be made between historical slave movement across the Atlantic, and the opposing trajectories and fortunes of Abdoulaye and Thierno between Dakar and New York in the present-day of the film.

Introducing the key ideas of the session

  • Show students the clip from the film that focuses on Thierno’s encounter with Île de Gorée (00:59:00 – 01:02:51)
  • Ask students to share their impressions and understanding of these scenes. Elicit Gorée’s significance as a key site of the slave trade. Consider how the scenes are shot – how do the aesthetics and camerawork contribute to the affect (emotion) of this sequence? Why is this important?
  • Discuss Thierno’s characterisation in these scenes: how is his identity constructed in contrast to that of the other African Americans he encounters on the boat? What does this mean for Thierno at this point in the film?
  • Ask students to read W.E.B. Du Bois’ article and pages 245-248 of Tyler Parry’s article (see below). Discuss their responses to Du Bois’ concept and Parry’s article in the context of African Americans visiting Goree, and link to the film.
  • Re-watch the final part of the clip shown earlier, focusing on Abdoulaye in New York. Ask students to discuss Abdoulaye’s situation and how it connects with memories of slavery – Gilroy may be useful to return to at this point.

Secondary sources/additional reading