I’m Going To Say It Again, France Is Indeed A Racist Country

Summary

The article discusses the racism faced by French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura in France, particularly in light of her potential participation in the opening ceremony of the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

Abstract

Aya Nakamura, a French-Malian singer with global acclaim, has been subjected to racist attacks and criticism after being considered to perform at the Paris Olympic Games' opening ceremony. The article highlights the systemic racism in France, as evidenced by the backlash from far-right groups and politicians like Eric Zemmour and Marine Le Pen, who question her French identity and accuse her of not singing in French. Despite the support from the Olympic Committee and other officials, the incident has caused Nakamura significant emotional distress, reflecting broader issues of racism and identity in France. The artist has responded to the racism with resilience, emphasizing her French identity and success.

Opinions

The author asserts that France is a racist country, citing the treatment of Black and brown individuals and the denial of racism by French people.
Aya Nakamura's success and influence, particularly among the youth, are acknowledged, with her music resonating across Francophone and English-speaking countries.
The article criticizes the racist reactions to Nakamura's potential Olympic performance, including a derogatory banner by the group "The Natives" and comments from far-right politician Eric Zemmour.
The author expresses personal understanding of the emotional pain caused by such racism, drawing parallels with their own experiences as a Swiss-Sierra Leonean citizen.
There is a strong opinion against the notion that only white people can define national identity, emphasizing that individuals like Nakamura and the author are integral parts of their respective countries.
The article praises Nakamura's response to the racism she faces, highlighting her defiant lyrics and the message that she owes nothing to her detractors.
The author is confident that Nakamura will overcome the racist opposition and represent France at the Olympic Games, despite the controversy.

They keep on showing us who they are over and over, we should believe them

Aya Nakamura, you might have never heard the name, but if you google her and type racism in France, you’ll come across some rather disturbing news. One that will leave you reeling and without a shadow of a doubt about the racism in France. I should know, I lived there for two years and was always astonished by how much in denial the French are vis à vis their own racism. We’d all be so much better off if they just accepted that they were a racist country where your chances of success as a Black or brown person are much lower than say for example in the UK or USA.

The fact is, French people think that Black and brown people are inferior and no matter how much they try to hide their racism, it keeps on showing. The Aya Nakamura debacle is a perfect example of this. So, let me share a few words about her before we begin. Nakamura is a renowned French-Malian singer who grew up in France. The 28-year-old’s single Djadja has hit close to a billion streams on YouTube alone. Yes, she is that good.

Today, Nakamura is the most listened-to French artist in the world. Yes, you heard that right! She’s a huge celebrity that resonates with the country’s youth and represents the France of tomorrow. She has created a whole new French using “argot” or slang and her songs talk about romance, sex, resilience, hard work, and perseverance. Her lyrics are never crass or violent, they simply recount the lives of most of France’s youth. Nakamura is listened to in all Francophone countries and in English-speaking countries too. Again, yes, she is that good.

Trouble started in not-so-paradise France when Nakamura was informed that she was being considered by France’s president Emmanuel Macron to sing at the opening ceremony of the upcoming Summer Olympic Games that will be taking place in Paris this July.

She mentioned that she was considering singing a song by Edith Piath, France’s darling, and the reflection for many French of someone who is quintessentially French. The minute Nakamura shared this, the haters started hating all over the country. An extremist group called the Natives hung up a banner by the River Seine that read: There’s no way Aya, this is Paris, not the Bamako market”. Could you imagine the nerve of that?

Far-right politician and failed presidential candidate, Eric Zemmour, known for his blatant racism and islamophobia said that Nakamura did not sing in French. He accused her of singing in a language that was English with a mixture of African and Arabic vernacular.

For him, her songs represent the “Great Language Replacement”, which is a play on the term “The Great Replacement”, often used by white nationalists to describe what they see as Black and brown people trying to replace white people in the world. Zemmour went on to say that when China hosted the Olympic Games, they used the opening ceremony to showcase China’s identity. He was implying that Nakamura wasn't French and as such could not represent France’s identity.

Marine Le Pen from the Rassemblement National, another extreme right party accused Nakamura of being vulgar. Where again did I hear that age-old stereotype of the hypersexualized Black woman? Everywhere in white supremacist and racist discourse. Le Pen went on to say that President Macron’s intention was to “humiliate France”, by choosing Nakamura to sing at the opening event.

Nakamura received support from the Olympic Committee, the Minister of Sport Amélie Oudea-Castera, and others, but despite her acting tough and all, I can assure you that this debacle caused her a lot of emotional pain. As a Swiss-Sierra Leonean citizen, I know how that feels. I’ve lived in Switzerland all my life, this is the only country I really know. Even though I say that I am Swiss-Sierra Leonean, the reality is that Switzerland is home. I grew up here, and my social and cultural language is Swiss. I feel offended when someone tells me that I am not quintessentially Swiss because of the color of my skin.

Who gets to decide what is Swiss or not, who gets to decide what is French or not, white people? I’ve been here for almost all of my life and sometimes people tell me that I am more Swiss than the Swiss. I am engaged in politics here, I contribute to the economy and my community. I am Swiss, no questions asked, Aya Nakamura is French, no questions asked either.

Nakamura hasn’t kept quiet about this whole thing. She has hit back saying “You can be racist but not deaf….That’s what hurts you! I am becoming a no. 1 state subject in debates …but what do I really owe you? Nada” .

Last Friday, the star issued a new single: Doggy, in which she shares “I don’t have enemies, me/It’s them that don’t like me…A load of enemies/But I don’t even know them.

In her responses, she has shown vulnerability despite the ugliness of the racism that she has faced.

Nakamura was being considered for this prestigious role when all hell broke loose. Now, I’m sure that she will be selected to sing Piaf at the opening ceremony. The racists will throw their tantrums, roll around on the floor, and make a scene, but Aya Nakamura is quintessentially French, the most French of them all given her international acclaim, and she’ll represent the country whether they like it or not.

Thank you for reading my perspective.