French honor for Josephine Baker stirs conflict over racism – KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com
Written by Black Hot Fire Network on November 29, 2021
PARIS (AP) — On the surface, it’s a powerful message against racism: a Black woman will, for the first time, join other luminaries interred in France’s Pantheon. But by choosing a U.S.-born figure — entertainer Josephine Baker – critics say France is continuing a long tradition of decrying racism abroad while obscuring it at home.
While Baker is widely appreciated in France, the decision has highlighted the divide between the country’s official doctrine of colorblind universalism and some increasingly vocal opponents, who argue that it has masked generations of systemic racism.
Baker’s . . .
