Egyptian critics disputed whether a blackface Nubian comic could teach nationalist lessons.

Evidence

Part of the issue stemmed from Alï al-Kassär’s performing as a black character from the lower if not lowest rungs of Egyptian society and the question of whether such a character could possibly educate audiences about the goals of Egyptian nationalism. Recent criticism has defended al-Kassär’s choice of character as a figure representative of many Nubians who had come to Egypt to seek their fortunes, and who tried to maintain their dignity in the face of British imperialism as well. In this sense, Osman abd al- Basit was an interesting emblem of the Nile Valley’s unity, and proof that Nubians and Sudanese alike had the same nationalistic feelings and were staunch supporters of the call for cohesion made by the Egyptians in 1919. — Eve M. Troutt Powell, A Different Shade of Colonialism_…, 932

Categorization

• XREF: Directly supports reader’s Egypt-vs-Sudan comparative goal: this shows how Egyptian nationalism rhetorically absorbed Sudan/Nubia rather than granting it separate ambition.