African Americans in France (crime, country, people, black)

[MuscogeeButterfly]

I've always heard, in the past, African Americans were welcome in France, often, idolized, i.e. Josephine Baker. How is the reception today?

[dominus]

Not much different, may even be better.

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by MuscogeeButterfly

I've always heard, in the past, African Americans were welcome in France, often, idolized, i.e. Josephine Baker. How is the reception today?

I don't know that there's any difference between how African Americans are received in France and how African Africans are received in France. France has a lot of experience with African Africans, of course, having held such a large colonial empire in Africa. I am doubting that the French would swoon over an African American any more than they would swoon over any other American; my guess is that fluent French would be more important than melanin.

[Sudcaro]

Originally Posted by MuscogeeButterfly

I've always heard, in the past, African Americans were welcome in France, often, idolized, i.e. Josephine Baker. How is the reception today?

Josephine Baker was a great artist. She was loved for what she did, not because she was an African American...

[SilkCity0416]

I've never been to Paris, but I'm planning on going next year.

From what I hear, if you're visiting Paris, you should be fine. Most people wouldn't care what race you are. Paris is one of the most diverse city on Earth.

However, with the diversity, comes division.

Immigrants from Africa, and the Middle East, tend to live in areas that have higher crime, and poor services and sadly, discrimination is common for these people.

In short, if you're visiting, I wouldn't worry, but if one is moving there ( especially from Africa and the Middle East ) there could be problems.

[MuscogeeButterfly]

Originally Posted by Sudcaro

Josephine Baker was a great artist. She was loved for what she did, not because she was an African American...

She was more than an artist, and how do you know the fact that she was African American didn't have anything to do with her reception??? She was involved with civil rights work at one time,and won the hearts of the French in other ways, aside from, her style of entertainment. She was largely, UNSUCCESSFUL, in America fyi. Do not try to denounce her ethnic heritage, or downplay it. This post is no different than the one about African Americans in Japan, DUH.

[Huckleberry3911948]

i think that theory is just a tiny bit behind the times. that was b4 massive north african migration.

[MuscogeeButterfly]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

I don't know that there's any difference between how African Americans are received in France and how African Africans are received in France. France has a lot of experience with African Africans, of course, having held such a large colonial empire in Africa. I am doubting that the French would swoon over an African American any more than they would swoon over any other American; my guess is that fluent French would be more important than melanin.

African Africans?? You mean, those born on the continent as opposed to those that were descendants of slaves? That's why I stated, African AMERICANS. I suppose America's racist history, made me think there would be a difference. I was looking to hear from people that actually spent time over there, not someone that would be guessing. In the U.S., we have a history of having trouble with "melanin"

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by MuscogeeButterfly

African Africans?? You mean, those born on the continent as opposed to those that were descendants of slaves? That's why I stated, African AMERICANS. I suppose America's racist history, made me think there would be a difference. I was looking to hear from people that actually spent time over there, not someone that would be guessing. In the U.S., we have a history of having trouble with "melanin"

Oh, good lord. I can't be bothered to knock this particular chip off your shoulder, but if you continue in this vein, don't worry--someone will come along and you can be his or her problem.

In the meantime, I'll just point out to you that unless a black person has a US flag tattooed on his or her forehead, or some other obvious citizenship marker (such as being very loud and acting very stupid, which travel has taught me is an excellent way to spot my countrypeople of all colors), all the French will see at first is that the person is black. And unless that person speaks French fluently, the French will hear that the person doesn't speak French well, and by all accounts that can be a barrier in France. And that applies whether you're black, white, tan, sepia, orange or blue with purple polka dots.

[MuscogeeButterfly]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

Oh, good lord. I can't be bothered to knock this particular chip off your shoulder, but if you continue in this vein, don't worry--someone will come along and you can be his or her problem.

In the meantime, I'll just point out to you that unless a black person has a US flag tattooed on his or her forehead, or some other obvious citizenship marker (such as being very loud and acting very stupid, which travel has taught me is an excellent way to spot my countrypeople of all colors), all the French will see at first is that the person is black. And unless that person speaks French fluently, the French will hear that the person doesn't speak French well, and by all accounts that can be a barrier in France. And that applies whether you're black, white, tan, sepia, orange or blue with purple polka dots.

You don't have to respond. No one is holding a gun to your head. You are the one that brought up "melanin" like, why would "melanin" be a problem in France. It was a legitimate question. Oh and uh, by the way, I've also heard, the French were very forgiving of, not so fluent French. So, "black people" are the only ones, that can be "very loud, acting very stupid" in countries that are foreign to them..hmm..I've heard of ugly Americans, so this term applies specifically to "black people" hmm..Why are you so hostile, that I asked about African Americans in France? Hmm.