Black Girl (1966)

Mbissine Thérèse Diop: Diouana

Photos 

Quotes 

• Diouana : Never again will the mistress scold me. Never again will she say: "Diouana make coffee." Never again: "Diouana, make rice." Never again: "Diouana, take off your shoes." Never again: "Diouana, wash this shirt." Never again: "Diouana, you're lazy." Never will I be a slave. I did not come here for the apron or the money. Never will she see me again. Never will she scold me again. Never again Diouana. Never will I see them again.

• Diouana : Back in Dakar they must be saying, "Diouana is happy in France, she has a good life." For me, France is at the kitchen, the living room, the bathroom, and my bedroom. Where are the people who live in this country? The mistress told me: "You'll see, Diouana, there are lovely shops in France." Is France that black hole?

• Diouana : I spend my life between the kitchen and my bedroom. Is that living in France?

• Diouana : The mistress lied. She's always lied. She'll not lie to me again. Never will she lie to me again. She wanted to keep me here as her slave.

• Diouana : Maybe they'll show me the city. Maybe we'll go to Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo. We'll look at all the pretty stores, and when the mistress pays me, I'll buy pretty dresses, shoes, silk undies, and pretty wigs. And then I'll get my picture taken. I'll send it back to Dakar and they'll die of jealousy!

• Diouana : The kitchen, the bathroom, the bedroom, the living room. That's all I do! That's not what I came to France for! What are the people here like? The doors are all shut, day and night! Night and day! I came to take care of children. Where are they? Why does the mistress always shout at me? I'm no cook. I'm no cleaning-woman.

• Diouana : I've got a job! I've got a job! I've got a job with white folks! I've got a job! I've got a job! I've got a job! I've got a job with white folks! I've got a job with white folks! I've got a job! I've got a job! I've got a job with white folks!

• Diouana : I'm their prisoner. I don't know anyone here. No one in my family is here. That's why I'm their slave.

• Diouana : They're fighting again. That's life in France. Why did I want to come to France?

• Diouana : They eat like pigs and jabber away. And do they drink!