Felix Eboué was born in Cayenne in 1884 and died in Cairo, Egypt some 60 years later. At school, he was a brilliant student and obtained a precious scholarship to study in several prestigious schools in France-- a very rare privilege for black students at that time in French colonial history.
Through his merit and determination, he became the governor of several French overseas colonies or territories such as Chad, the Martinique or the Guadeloupe-- the first black Frenchman to achieve such authority within the government.
Through his wise administration, he strived to improve conditions for colonized populations and decrease the flagrant inequalites between blacks and whites.
One of his most famous speeches was given in 1937 and is entitled "Jouer le jeu" which I would translate by "Playing the game".
- « Jouer le jeu, c'est être désintéressé
- Jouer le jeu, c'est piétiner les préjugés, tous les préjugés et apprendre à baser l'échelle des valeurs sur les critères de l'esprit.
- Jouer le jeu, c'est mépriser les intrigues et les cabales, ne jamais abdiquer, malgré les clameurs ou menaces, c'est poursuivre la route droite qu'on s'est tracée.
- Jouer le jeu, c'est savoir tirer son chapeau devant les authentiques valeurs qui s'imposent et faire un pied-de-nez aux pédants et aux attardés.
- Jouer le jeu, c'est aimer les hommes, tous les hommes et se dire qu'ils sont tous bâtis sur une commune mesure humaine qui est faite de qualités et de défauts.
- Jouer le jeu, c'est mériter notre libération et signifier la sainteté, la pureté de notre esprit... »
Here's my rough translation :
"Playing the game means being selfless.
Playing the game means trampling prejudice, all forms of prejudice, and learning to base the scale of values on criteria of the mind.
Playing the game means scorning intrigues and lobbying, never abdicating despite the outcries or threats, it means following the straight road that we have set out for ourselves.
Playing the game means saluting the true values which are vital and thumbing your nose to those who are pedant and retrogressive.
Playing the game means loving people, all people, and telling oneself that they are all built on a common human measure which is composed of qualities and defects.
Playing the game means earning our freedom and signifying to others the sanctity and purity of our minds..."
Visiting Felix Eboué's birth home was a voyage of discovery into the struggles of an age that my generation has mostly forgotten. Jack and I were strongly impressed and understand better why Felix Eboué is so highly celebrated in French Guianese history.
