Are people racist against African Americans in Paris?

Question

Are people racist against African Americans in Paris?

Answer 1

This is a difficult question to answer. As a person who loves Paris and encourages everyone to visit there I want to agree with the previous answers and say no but as a person of color myself I must tell you the truth.

First I will agree that Paris has a well deserved positive historical reputation concerning Afican Americans. Josephine Baker and a host of other Black artists and intellectuals found refuge and scope for their talents there in the days when Jim Crow ruled America. By comparison, Paris was paradise.

As a person who experienced legal segragation himself and was engaged in the Civil Rights battles of 1960's with the arrest record and scars to prove it, I recognize the history and the contrast.

On the other hand, the Civil Rights movement in America, so painful and violent, was a cleansing experience. While racism still infects much of American life it has lost every vestige of respectability and people of color can be found in every major institution of government, business, and society.

France however has made little real progress beyond its easy acceptance of  Black entertainers and artists in the 1920's. As a group, non-whites are almost completely invisible in a way that most whites just don't seem to understand.

Until recently there wasn't a single Black TV news anchor. There are no non-whites in the Chamber of Deputies (the French equivalent of Congress). No non-white has ever held a post of major importance in the Government.

The French may treat Black jazz singers very well but the average non-white is still subject to racist police abuse and discrimination in housing and employment for which there are few, if any, legal remedies.

As an American tourist you will probably not notice any of these problems because, as an American, you are not from the immigrant groups that suffer this discrimination.

This is akin to the situation in the American South during the days of segragation when foreign Blacks were often considered distinct from African Americans and treated as if they were white.

In other words, you'll be treated more like Josephine Baker or Louis Armstrong than like some impoverished immigrant from Chad or Tunisia.

Answer 2

Not at all --- don't forget that this is the city that loved Josephine Baker.  Also, Parisians like Americans in general because they relate to the U.S culture of films and music etc.

Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Forest Whitaker, Fats Domino, Ray Charles  and so many others are not just fine actors and musicians but excellent ambassadors for African America and Parisians love them.

Since the abolition of slavery African Americans have taken giant steps in every field and those achievements are applauded by most right-thinking people.It is after all the bi-centenary of abolition and a special time for african Americans and is being commemorated with many events especially in the UK.

Racism still exists in outposts of ignorance throughout Europe but African American racism in Paris would be a rarity.

If you are thinking of going you would have no problem whatsoever.

Answer 3

From seeing a black person Parisians wouldn't necessarily consider you african american. There is a very large and very robust african community in Paris already.  You would get the same treatment that you get in any large american city.

Answer 4

Yes and Yes... people in Paris hate BOTH Africans AND Americans... they are equal opportunity bigots.

Answer 5

I am from Paris and I am black and my mother's side of the the family is Fench and we did counter alot of racism! I am not trying to scare you! Although not everybody is racist!