Black France: Colonialism, Immigration, and Transnationalism

"[W]ithout a doubt one of the most important studies so far
completed on literature in French grounded in the experiences of migrants of
sub-Saharan African origin." -- Alec Hargreaves, Florida State
University

France has always hosted a rich and vibrant black
presence within its borders. But recent violent events have raised questions about
France's treatment of ethnic minorities. Challenging the identity politics that have
set immigrants against the mainstream, Black France explores how black expressive
culture has been reformulated as global culture in the multicultural and
multinational spaces of France. Thomas brings forward questions such as -- Why is
France a privileged site of civilization? Who is French? Who is an immigrant? Who
controls the networks of production? Black France poses an urgently needed
reassessment of the French colonial legacy.