2020

Fary x Colors

6/27/20

Ok.

So let’s say I’m changing my first name… Would it make you look past the fact that I’m not as fair-skinned as other names? Like, if I get a “whiter” French name… What’s the idea, that I’ll whiten over time ? Oh sure, you “don’t even see color”. You have “a friend of a friend that’s even blacker than an Arab”, sorry.

If I was Asian and I changed my name, would that be easier for you to pronounce than “rice-paddy” ? What if I move somewhere else, do I have to change again? Is there like a clever bland name that can bypass your anger? You know, I think even if I got a more French-sounding name, you’d assume something’s up, and at some point in the conversation, you’d be like “…but what’s your real name ?”

And if I change my name, do I have to change anything else for you ? I wanna know that. Are you gonna decide how I should dress, or not dress… or if I’m a woman, how I should undress at the beach ? By the way, it’s not a great look these days, to criticize a woman for “wearing too much”. Just sayin'.

Okay, if I change my name, would you also want to change other words, that aren’t French enough for you? Like, in everyday life ? It’d be tough in the corporate world. They’ll be lost without anglicisms. No more “I’m sending it ASAP ! " “Let’s make a conf-call ! Why not ? Yes, let’s get lunch sometime ! "

Alright, if I change my name, what are you willing to change ? Say I’m down for the switch, what do you switch ? Are you gonna chill a little ? Maybe ease up a bit ? Because to me it looks like you’re just scared.

Scared to see your world change, at the hands of people like me, when you’re the one who wants me to change in the first place. I don’t even know what you want, actually. I can’t figure it out, because… You want me to change so I feel more integrated, but when I do, you think I’m “Great Replacing” you ?

If I change my name, will I finally not have to justify myself when someone who looks like me, commits a crime that doesn’t ? Or, since I’ll have changed my name, I’ll now have to apologize whenever Nicolas or Patrick screws up ? You know, as they do. Oh no you’re right, these names never need to apologize.

Alright, granted. Would it change anything for you, if the French soccer team won the World Cup twice, thanks to Frenchmen with not-so-French names ? See I’m being sarcastic, that’s as French as it gets. Ok.

Stop. Tell the truth. I was born here, but you’re still terrified

Stop. Tell the truth. You know I’m here, but you always act surprised

I’ll stop. And tell the truth I tell jokes, but that’s not really what they are.

I’ll stop. And tell the truth. I hate it, that you need to hear the truth

Stop. Tell the truth. Tell the truth. Tell the truth.

Watch this incredible piece on YouTube

NYT: "Macron Beat Back the Coronavirus. France Is Not Impressed."

6/8/20

“France has fared better than many in the pandemic, especially when compared with the United States, Italy, Spain and especially Britain. Just don’t tell that to the French, who resent Mr. Macron for it more than ever.”

This is what I refer to when I say that my French people tend to be unreasonable… Nothing is ever good enough, regardless of results! 🤷🏻‍♂️

≠

A few thoughts and resources about Racial Injustice & Empathy

6/5/20

This week has been draining.

It’s no longer possible to stay on the sidelines and watch the situation silently. What’s happening now in the US is a fight that also happens here in France, and in many other places across Europe and around the World.

As a light continues to shine on societal inequalities in the US and the world, these are resources I have discovered that are helping to educate me on anti-racism and systemic racism. I’d like to share them below, in the hope that it helps others learn more about the situation impacting African-Americans and the Black community as a whole.

Step 1: Educate Yourself

Books

Buy some books from a local, independent, preferably black-owned bookstore. I read some of these and ordered a few more that I’m looking forward to go through this weekend:

• Between the World and Me
• How to be an Antiracist
• So you want to talk about Race
• Hood Feminism
• Stamped from the Beginning
• I’m Still Here
• What doesn’t kill you makes you Blacker
• White Fragility
• Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race
• Anything from James Baldwin (The Fire Next Time , If Beale Street Could Talk , I am not your Negro, Giovanni’s Room, etc.)

And to my French community, most of them should be available translated in French too.

Podcasts

• Kiffe ta race (FR)
• 1619 (EN)
• Pod Save the People (EN)
• Code Switch (EN)
• Higher Learning (EN)

Movies & TV Shows

Movies

• 13th (Documentary - about mass-incarceration) ( Netflix )
• I am not your negro (Documentary)
• Just Mercy (inspired from true story)
• The Hate U Give (adapted from book)
• If Beale Street Could Talk (adapted from James Baldwin novel)
• Do The Right Thing (Classic watch — Spike Lee)
• Boyz n the Hood
• Fruitvale Station (inspired by true story)(Directed by Ryan Coogler: Black Panther, Creed, etc)
• The Last Black Man in San Francisco (More about Gentrification)

TV Shows

• Dear White People
• When They See Us
• Watchmen

Living in/Visiting Paris?

• Book a tour of Paris with “Paris Noir” to learn about how African, Caribbean and African-American culture connects the City of Lights. (Available in French & English)

Step 2: Act

Ask yourself what you can do

• Learn about the biases that you may have, identify it, and try to think past that. Just like any exercise or habit, it gets better every single time you’ll practice.

Review diversity and inclusivity initiatives at the company you work with/for.

• Talk about it with your local HR/Admin leaders & Management.
• Keep in mind that diversity & inclusivity can be about different nationalities but also about differences in terms of social, educational, cultural or even economic background.

Shop at local businesses

• Discover Black-owned businesses in Paris with “Little Africa” or this list of 50+ black-owned businesses in Paris
• Order their ‘City Guide’

For every single one of these points, a quick search online is all you need to be literally inundated with suggestions, so please don’t be lazy.

And I’d be more than happy to look into this some more if anyone wants to reach out privately too. And obviously, feel free to share this list around you and let me know if you were able to experience some of these resources!

I hope this helps, and I look forward to living in a better world with all of you!