I sometimes joke around with my French friends about them being racist. This originally stemmed from the fact that they call all Asian people Chinese. I was first introduced to this concept during my first couple of months living in Paris when I was having a conversation with a 70-something year-old French woman. She told me, and I think completely seriously:
In the end, I don't really believe the French to be more racist than Americans. I just think some of what they say may be construed as racism to an (Asian) American because we (Americans in general) are more inclined to be politically correct. Racism implies a hatred for a race or an actual belief in the inferiority of another race. Calling all Asians Chinese is just a bit politically insensitive.
Enter the French Elle Magazine.
They have recently gotten in a lot of trouble for being not only politically insensitive, but actually racist in their article about the trend of "black-geoisie." As explained in this Jezebel.com article, in an online article, Elle implies that black people have become more chic in fashion instead of thug, thanks in part to being educated by white people. (Read the article for more details).
Of course a group of concerned French citizens wrote a response in an open letter in Le Monde, calling out Valérie Toranian and other editors at Elle to venture outside of their "glass offices" and see the "real black style." And while they're at it, they should also hire some black editors if they are going to write about it.
The editors of Elle have immediately responded to these messages with fervent apologies, and invited people like the collectif anti-négrophobie to their "glass offices." At least this debacle has gained more publicity for both parties involved.
Due to the proximity of Africa to France, and the many past French conquests there, there are a number of black people in France. It's hard to gauge the exact number of different ethnic groups in France officially, since it is illegal to ask for demographic details (unlike the US where they ask with the option of "choose not to answer"). Here, I find that all Parisians, no matter what ethnic group, dress equally chic, and more so than any, say, American tourists.
"Don't be offended if someone calls you Chinese (chinois), it's not that they think you are actually Chinese, it's just because all the Asians look the same."Oh of course! No need to be offended by that! Although, I really can't complain since I failed the "All Look Same" Quiz. But I also joke that they do not distinguish between different Asian foods. As in:
This one might be more of an exaggeration. It's more that many "Chinese Restaurants" here contain Chinese and Vietnamese and Thai, etc... which is actually common in many countries. So my boyfriend complains that it's actually the Asians fault for confusing them by intentionally mixing all the foods together onto one menu. He also claims that "chinois" (Chinese) is easier to say than "asiatiques" (Asian), which is why they use chinois to describe Asians.Me: What do you want to eat tonight?
Le French Boyfriend: Let's go for Chinese food.
Me: What kind of Chinese?
Le French Boyfriend: Thai.
In the end, I don't really believe the French to be more racist than Americans. I just think some of what they say may be construed as racism to an (Asian) American because we (Americans in general) are more inclined to be politically correct. Racism implies a hatred for a race or an actual belief in the inferiority of another race. Calling all Asians Chinese is just a bit politically insensitive.
Enter the French Elle Magazine.
They have recently gotten in a lot of trouble for being not only politically insensitive, but actually racist in their article about the trend of "black-geoisie." As explained in this Jezebel.com article, in an online article, Elle implies that black people have become more chic in fashion instead of thug, thanks in part to being educated by white people. (Read the article for more details).
Of course a group of concerned French citizens wrote a response in an open letter in Le Monde, calling out Valérie Toranian and other editors at Elle to venture outside of their "glass offices" and see the "real black style." And while they're at it, they should also hire some black editors if they are going to write about it.
The editors of Elle have immediately responded to these messages with fervent apologies, and invited people like the collectif anti-négrophobie to their "glass offices." At least this debacle has gained more publicity for both parties involved.
Due to the proximity of Africa to France, and the many past French conquests there, there are a number of black people in France. It's hard to gauge the exact number of different ethnic groups in France officially, since it is illegal to ask for demographic details (unlike the US where they ask with the option of "choose not to answer"). Here, I find that all Parisians, no matter what ethnic group, dress equally chic, and more so than any, say, American tourists.
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