The 10th of May is National Day for the Abolition of Slave Trade and Slavery in France. This date was chosen by former French President Jacques Chirac in 2006, and coincides with the Taubira Law, adopted on 10th May 2001. (Cont’d)

The Taubira Law officially recognizes “the transatlantic black slave trade and slavery.” (Cont’d)

Though this is an institutionalized, commemorative day in France, one could argue it does very little to mitigate the heavy implications and consequences of France’s colonial + neocolonial policies (past and present). (Cont’d)

The film stills in this thread are from Sugar Cane Alley (Rue Cases-Nègres) (1983) directed by Martinican filmmaker, Euzhan Palcy. The film is set in 1930s Martinican society operating under French colonial rule + systemic oppression. #SUNUnotes #SUNUjournal

As a side note: many may recognize the great Senegalese actor, Douta Seck, in the first image.