On October 7th, The Center for Race and Gender, along with the Institute of European Studies and co-sponsors, hosted a screening of Je Suis Noires “Becoming a Black Woman, ” a film by Swiss-Congolese filmmaker Rachel M’Bon. Following the film screening attended by 20 participants, IES Associate Director Akasemi Newsome moderated a discussion with the film director Rachel M'bon about her motivations for making the film.
In Je Suis Noires, M’Bon delves into the deeply vulnerable and complex process of unlearning internalized racism and reflecting on identity, race, and belonging as a Black woman in Switzerland. She challenges the myth of a Swiss idyll, revealing a racial hierarchy embedded in Swiss society, where Black women are at the bottom, marginalized by both racial discrimination and patriarchal oppression. Despite these realities, racism and discrimination against Black women in Switzerland is seldom discussed or researched.
M’Bon’s journey toward self-acceptance began after the passing of her Congolese father, marking a turning point from years of shame surrounding her African heritage and attempts to distance herself from her Blackness. On this search for her true identity, she reflects on the contradictory experience of growing up as a Black woman in Switzerland, shedding light on her complex family dynamics and the challenges of navigating a biracial European/African experience. Her film, however, goes beyond her own story; it incorporates the experience of multiple Black women, spanning different generations, as they confront their internalized racism and build self-esteem. M’Bon uses the literal and figurative symbol of a mirror, encouraging these women to reflect on themselves and their identities. In a powerful moment at the end of the film, M’Bon hangs the same mirror on a wall in her home, symbolizing her journey toward self-acceptance and a constant reminder of how far she has come in unlearning racist ideals instilled in her as Black woman in Switzerland.
Following the screening, a brief discussion provided further insight into the film’s themes and M’Bon’s personal experiences. She expressed the urgency she felt to create the film, not only to share her truth but also to reveal the truth about Switzerland’s racial dynamics. She spoke candidly about the vulnerability involved in making the film, the everyday struggles of confronting her internal biases, and the importance for positive representation for Black women and girls.
M’Bon’s story is a testament to a shift in the way Swiss Black women view themselves and their racial identity. While much work remains to deconstruct Switzerland’s systemic racism, M’Bon concluded with a powerful statement: “I am able to accept myself. I am able to be me.”