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Popular Culture Review
interloper who has never bothered to investigate African culture or language while
attempting to “civilize” his patients, Schweitzer is a figure of both intolerance and
tragic self-delusion.
In a hilarious and politically charged sequence, Schweitzer is viewed
lecturing Africans on the spiritual nature of work. His words are supposedly
translated for him, but there is a remarkable difference between his messages and
the subsequent translations. Schweitzer explains:
We are not saved by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. We must follow
it with active commitment. Therefore work in any conditions is
an act of salvation.
The translator, however, offers a different version of the text: “Fornicator or drunk,
you are sure to have a place in heaven if you work.”
The scene not only points to the fact that Schweitzer is limited by language.
It highlights the fact that translation itself is limited, because of the vast cultural
differences between white European spirituality and African spirituality.
Schweitzer’s defective vision is circumscribed by his white European Christianity,
even as it motivates him to literally work himself to death in an environment he
finds utterly alien. Schweitzer’s chosen world is lacking both sufficient Western
cultural resources to satisfy his own desires, as well as stable financial backing.
Thus Schweitzer is doubly cut off from the society he seeks to minister to.
The critique of whiteness is not limited, however, to or by Schweitzer.
Several African figures specifically address the evils of whiteness as they are
attached to white colonialism. Mikendi, who returns from the war to tell stories of
racism he and other Africans experienced at the hands of the French, becomes
increasingly politically committed to African independence. He becomes a griot to
Koumba. “1 hate these whites. I hate them,” Mikendi shouts. Mikendi advises
Koumba to go abroad, attend medical college, and become a doctor. Then Koumba
can return and take over the administration of Schweitzer’s hospital. “Let no white
hand strike us again,” Mikendi admonishes him.
Chief Mata also directly challenges white supremacy and Schweitzer’s
white imperialist mentality. When Chief Mata asks Schweitzer why he came to
Africa if he hates Blacks, Schweitzer responds, “1 came to save the Blacks,” but
Chief Mata sees through this imperialistic rhetoric. “You want to rule this kingdom
alone and make us all your subjects.”
But perhaps most critical of Schweitzer is Bissa (Magaly Bertly), his
African wife, betrothed to him by Chief Mata. Schweitzer refuses her sexual
advances and she asks him if it is because of her skin color. “You give Africans
nothing,” she says, and he responds, “I do. My life. My work.” She states, “Well,