While I'm a mixed African American, I was treated 85 times better in France in General. It had nothing to do with me being American as most Americans tell the big lie stating that the French are rude. Not a rude sole when I went. My grandmother went too. She's darker skin. Still same treatment. I also had a few African colleagues who lived in France. They too, agree with me. To further clarify the truth of the matter, we need to differentiate the difference between De Jure (government imposed) and De Facto racism. France doesn't have and never had "de jure" racism. They never had disenfranchisement (i.e. literacy tests at polls). They never had laws like "Jim Crow". In other words, France never directly infringed/oppressed the civil and human rights of their civilians in the form of legislation; however, De Facto discrimination exists more globally, including in France. Unlike the US, however, their De Facto discrimination is not and was never influenced by any past events of De Jure discrimination. It more has to do with individual personality. In the US, most acts of racism came about as slavery was being dissolved an abolished. This is because the slaves were no longer in their government defined place and the fact that it was ultra race based. Also, French colonialism is very irrelevant in this context as I'm primarily discussing mainland France. Victims of colonialism were never allowed to be trafficked into the mainland. Also, France more so owned up to their wrongs and granted most of their colonies their independence. Lastly, victims of French colonialism were not French citizens. In the US, the situation is almost opposite. We have to understand that American racism was not legalized, but mandated. Legal just means, no laws against the act. Mandate means that the act in question is enforced by an individual against his/her will be a person/authority regardless of the legal state of the act. Secondly, laws like Jim Crow were not targeting slaves as slavery had already been abolished. Unlike the French, the US never gave it's freed slaves any self-governing independence. Instead they made them citizens and their descendants citizenship at birth. This was not actually a good idea. This is because Lincoln didn't actually free the slaves. If it was him, there wouldn't have been an underground railroad. In other words, the slaves freed themselves, bankrupting their masters. So, instead of freeing them, they made them citizens, using their newly granted freedom against them (i.e Vagrancy laws). This is how mass imprisonment began. Don't forget the 13th Amendement doesn't protect prisoners from Slavery in the US. It was also done to make leaving the country difficult. All Blacks in Mainland France self migrated there; so, if they didn't like it, all they had to do is head for the exit. Racist laws in the US and South Africa were unique among other democratized nation with racist laws as they infringed essentials to life, such as freedom of movement, voting,, public accommodation, freedom of assembly (interracial marriages), privacy rights (Loving v. VA), and freedom from bodily harm. France also lacks racist organizations like the KKK. There was never a time in Mainland France where the government imposed racism akin to the US against their own citizens. Fun fact. During the worst days of Jim Crow. African Americans who were more fortunate enough to leave to country, fled to France to escape racism. I would recommend reading about James Baldwin.

Michel Fabre was a scholar who wrote about African-Americans in Paris, he also wrote a biography of Richard Wright. Patricia Laplante-Collins was one of his students at the Sorbonne.

My first time going to Paris, I only went because I was in London, didn't think I'd ever be in that neck of the woods again and Paris was only a Eurostar ride away, so why not check out Paris! I fell in LOVE with Paris. Went again last year and, dangit, I wish I could do a James Baldwin and just go there with $40 in my pocket and stay. I'm 51 now and tryna figure out what I have to do to be able to move there after I retire (or sooner)!

@JeremyWhistine

Жыл бұрын

It would definitely be a great place to retire!

@puccaland

29 күн бұрын

You only need to prove that you earn a certain amount each month (salary, pension) and do the paperwork.

Loved it and my grandfather Richard Wright would have appreciated this ! Keep it up !

@JeremyWhistine

2 жыл бұрын

Wow! Thank you very much for watching. I’d love to hear more about your grandfather!

If you don't know him, I can't advice you enough to learn about Eugene Bullard, who flew to France and became the first African-American pilot in History. His life deserves to be a movie.

Absolutely loved this conversation ❤️ many blessings to you both on your journeys.

@JeremyWhistine

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

Thank you for this interview. 💛

@JeremyWhistine

2 жыл бұрын

Thank You! I hope you enjoyed it.

A delightfully informative interview- I look forward to dusting off my passport again soon and making another visit to one of my favorite cities in the world1

@JeremyWhistine

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much. I’m glad you enjoyed it

Loved it!! So much great information. Monique shared the joy and the reality of Black Paris. Thank you for sharing her story.

@JeremyWhistine

2 жыл бұрын

I’m so glad you enjoyed it Shelley! I learned so much from Dr. Wells.

This was a really wonderful discussion between you and Dr. Wells. I could have listened to you both for even longer. I know of other Black tours in Paris, but I didn’t know about Dr. Wells’ company, so I will definitely explore her web site. I cannot wait to see your other videos - and also get myself back to Paris one day soon. Lastly - your “cinematography” is really beautiful. Great job there!

@JeremyWhistine

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Paula! I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview. I highly recommend you check out Entree to Black Paris, Dr. Wells’ company that she owns with her husband Tom. My wife took the footage from the interview, I captured most of the B Roll footage from our trip in Paris! Look for my channel trailer very soon. It should be up next week. And I’m going to do my best to present 2 new videos every month! About life in Madrid and my trips over Europe!

Please differentiate between "expat" and "immigrant". An expat is out of the home country temporarily -- on a company assignment or sabbatical, for example, with a scheduled return to the home country. An immigrant has left the home country to move permanently (or at last no scheduled return) to the new country.

@JeremyWhistine

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for that note. I appreciate it.

@elebelle51

2 жыл бұрын

@@JeremyWhistine It's a whole cultural issue, where people from rich countries are called expats while those from poor countries are immigrants. I'm from the U.S. but I've been in France 50 years. I am a French citizen. I'm an immigrant.

@PHlophe

2 жыл бұрын

Ellen Labelle, and within rich ones , if you have melanin you are perceived as immigrant even though you travel with the same passport as someone who is white. its good ole racist classification at work bc an expat technically is someone appointed by the gov. and sent abroad for a period of time . it was never supposed to be a regular citizen .

Isn't the internet/KZread the best? (It can also be the worst, I know!) Here I sit in Western Australia watching your video, because at this point I can not travel but I love expanding my mind, discovering and learning new things, and I realised how great your channel can truly be. So I really hope that many people, but especially those who are stuck in one place physically will subscribe and watch your videos, because they don't have to be stuck in one place mentally and your videos can make them realise that there is a whole world out there for them to discover and learn about, and hopefully visit one day. I'm already subscribed and looking forward to more interesting videos 😁 thank you!

@JeremyWhistine

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Lianna! I’m so glad to hear from you! I absolutely agree. I’m glad I can be a source of knowledge and entertainment for you all the way on the other side of the world! I’m actually working on more content right now! Thanks again and stay tuned!

Loved this

Awesome! I’m looking forward to going on a tour in Oct when I go to Paris🤗

Merci beaucoup 🙌🙌🙌 I absolutely LOVED this interview 🙏🙏🙏 😊

@JeremyWhistine

Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much. I’m glad you found the information useful

Thank you for this as I have lived many years overseas but I am back home now. However, I know many ExPats that sill live overseas and I am thinking about doing that again too. As a Senior Age US Veteran I have many military vets that have done that.

@JeremyWhistine

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much! I wish you all the best in your future endeavors of moving across seas.

@elkwhistle141

2 жыл бұрын

Much Appreciated I know or knew a few Black ExPatriates that lived and died in Paris, FR years ago now. Namaste

Go Jeremy!! Miss you guys.

Awesome interview!

Hi Jeremy. I enjoyed the way you interviewed this lady. As French myself living in the US, I feel kind of sad to hear this woman that she stays in my country for 30 years for the beauty, the lifestyle, the food, the arts…. What about the people???

@JeremyWhistine

Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for watching my video. In my day job, I've had the opportunity to meet a few French people (living in Madrid) and I have to say they are very friendly and some of the nicest people I've had the pleasure of meeting. Since doing this video, I've traveled to The French Riviera for my birthday. I'm working on more content for you all. I hope that you'll subscribe to my channel so you can enjoy future content!

@chrystelelacroix4681

Жыл бұрын

@@JeremyWhistine Thank you Jeremy for your kind words. Not all French people are nice but it is true everywhere in the world. In the US, my mixed son was bullied just because he was French and his accent. He felt pressured to pick a community (black or white) but refused to do so as in Paris where we lived before his friends were of all colors and origins. Sadly, he never was able to make a real friend in the USA. He returned last September to live with two of his childhood friends in Paris. I must say that being the mother of two mixed children I feel relieved because in the US I was always afraid that something happens with the police. Something that I never experienced in France even if of course racism exists like, very unfortunately, everywhere in the world. In Paris, in the 90s being in an interracial relation was completely normal. I remember of two african American young men that we hosted and that were shocked to see in Paris so many interracial couples and children. Things are getting better in the US but it is incredibly slow.

@Lostouille

10 күн бұрын

​@@chrystelelacroix4681 c'est un truc que j'ai constaté à chaque fois que qqun vient ici. Jamais pour nous et après quand on a pas envie de les coller ça commence à parler thaïlandais 😂. J'ai été à Barcelone le weekend dernier et j'ai jamais vu autant de mal élevés de ma vie. Après ça vient dire qu'on est méchants 💀

Jérémy , you look so much like Amove Mevegue . You could pass as his sibling easily . similar strong physical presence and stature, even.

@JeremyWhistine

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I’m not familiar with him, I have to research who he is.

Loved the conversation brother. I will be in Paris for a brief moment in June for an art show. Can you give me an idea what would you do if you only have about 20 hours in Paris? Restaurant? Music? Art? Thank you again...

@JeremyWhistine

Жыл бұрын

Hi! Thank you for watching and for your kind response. I’ve been to Paris twice. It’s hard to say. I’d certainly go to The Eifel Tower. It’s one of the most iconic sites in the world. I’d also experience a really nice French Restaurant if I were you. I’d try to stay longer. You need at least a long weekend in Paris.

Thank you for the encouragement, and your commitment to Black culture in France.

😍😍🥰🥰🥰

@JeremyWhistine

2 жыл бұрын

I hope you enjoyed the interview

Kanye's prophecy has come true. The people are in Paris

@thebadstation8416

Жыл бұрын

I knew I'd see a comment like this 💀

Louisiana Creoles are Louisiana Creoles not African Americans

As a (white) french, I find this video very interesting. But also frustrating. There is so much to tell ! Did I miss it or didn't you even speak about JAZZ ?! From the 40's to the 60's, a bunch of american jazzmen loved to come to Paris 'cause they were loved, admired and respected here while being segregated and despised in their own country. Some settled in France. Dr. Wells is right to point that the French do not live up to the ideals of France. Most of them struggle against their "natural" or cultural deeply rooted racism. You know, the old idea (from the XVIIIe century to the 1960's) that France, "pays des Droits de l'Homme" had to "bring the light to the World", civilize the savage countries and help them to develop ...🤣 Well... To be honest, it's more paternalism and national pride than real racism. But sadly, more and more europeans don't struggle anymore against their racism, as the last elections showed us.😭

I have to disagree but no there is not a lot of African American I Paris

@krazyjnva2up2down55

10 ай бұрын

I also have to disagree when she name the people of color of lousiana as African Americans. Lousiana Creoles are NOT African American they are of Latin decent via French and Spanish. African American would fall under Anglo (English speakers)

@Lostouille

10 күн бұрын

​@@krazyjnva2up2down55it's americans they are confusing all black people as african american 💀💀💀💀

No such thing as an African American

@thebadstation8416

Жыл бұрын

So we don't exist 💀

@jaxthewolf4572

Жыл бұрын

Another person who doesn't know what an African American is or what the term even means. This shit's embarrassing. It's 2022-2023

@Lostouille

Жыл бұрын

​@@thebadstation8416 we don't have an equivalent here in Europe , they either are integrated people so they call themselves by the nationality where they were born , or they say they are from that X country.