Questionnaire response
RESPONSES
A. #2
3 min read
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Where are you from ?
This is a question that requires several answers in reality... very relevant to have put it first. As far as my nationality is concerned, I am Franco-Rwandan
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In which country did you live?
I changed countries every three years or so. I grew up in Africa; Angola, Ivory Coast, Niger, Senegal, Mauritania, Cameroon.
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How old are you ?
25 soon, next August.
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When did you realize that your skin color made you different than others?
I changed countries every three years or so. I grew up in Africa; Angola, Ivory Coast, Niger, Senegal, Mauritania, Cameroon.
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When did this take on a negative connotation?
As soon as I had a conscience I would say since I was neither like my father, nor like my mother.
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Have you experienced episodes of racism against yourself (this varies from micro-attacks to acts of violence)?
a. Yes
b. No
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If you answered "yes" to the previous question, what was the event that struck you the most? (or "the events")
Injunctions such as "go home, white girl".
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What would define your skin color the most among the following propositions: (for lack of adequate words please do not be offended by them)
a. 'Light skin'
b. 'Mixed'
c. 'Black'
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Have you ever witnessed racist acts around you?
a. Yes
b. No
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Have you ever heard 'inappropriate' comments from those around you?
a. Yes
b. No
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If so, it took place within which group (s) among the following? (Many answers are possible)
a. Your group of friends + acquaintances (so rather friends of your friends)
b. Your group of friends
c. Within your family
d. At school / at university
e. At work
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For each of the boxes checked in the previous question, please specify how you felt at that time? Did you react? Yes? No ? Why?
Embarrassed or even very embarrassed. I did react but with humor, so not enough.
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What is your relationship with your skin color?
Healthy, I « Embrace » it.
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Has your relationship to your skin color always been the same? (Whether the answer is yes or no, please explore the evolution of this relationship over time)
Yes, it's something I'm proud of and having grown up in Africa and Europe at the same time it was regularly something that I almost put forward, at least that I lived it in a very healthy way.
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Do you agree that with age you gain a better understanding of what racism is?
Totally
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Over time, do you feel more apt to be against racism or on the contrary less apt? (In both cases, please specify for what reason (s))
I feel more able to react and no longer let remarks that I used to accept from my circle of acquaintances pass. But indeed I often notice that I am less and less offended, because I have more and more confidence in the person I am and I project this confidence on the person who may be a victim of a racist act. I would not defend someone head-on or very rarely because I feel that it may not have affected them as much as one might think and
I'm not yet in the mindset of educating assholes who would be likely to commit this kind of act. It is the institutional and insidious racism that I want to fight...
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Do you have or would you like to have children?
I would love to
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If so, is the notion of racism something that comes to your mind when you think about potentially bringing into the world / educating another human being and being responsible for it? Why ?
Yes, but not more than feminism, sexism, homosexuality, tolerance towards other or ecology.
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Where do you currently live?
In Paris, the city of Lights !
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Where would you see yourself living? When choosing this place, do you take into account the notion of racism? Yes? No ? Why ?
In Paris! (But financially, for a young family it may not be possible I think...). Not completely, I take into account the political current and the presence of mixity as well but in all its forms so I guess it goes with it.
Of course! I don't even see it as hope but as pragmatism. I have faith in my generation.