1 year in France : Racism, Culture Shocks, Favorite things | Nigerian in France 🇫🇷Being Black.

#France #Foreigner #Masterstudent
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• |Keywords: Being Black in France, culture shocks in France, 1 year in France, Do I regret moving to France, Nigerian in France, Masters student in France, Being Black in France, Ukraine, Being Black in Europe.

[@Ajachukwu]

This video seems to be reaching a wider audience almost 3 years later and while I’m grateful for the different observations and opinions. I’d like to reiterate a few things: 1. I had made this video 1 year after living in France so I’m very much aware that there are seats reserved for Elderly people. It was not the case. The woman who wouldn't let me sit next to her was not seated in the reserved section and the person who had left the seat was visibly a young lady around the same age as me. 2. I did not at any point state that it is definitely racism. I said I was not sure if she was scared of Covid, mentally ill, or just outright Racist so it baffles me to see comments about me playing the victim. Thank you to everyone who’s been respectful with their comments.

[@Poussindesdomtom]

French people (the ones we call _"Français de souche"_ which means French people from an old lineage, white people actually) tend to be pissed with black people complaining about racism all the time in France. Blaming racism has become _"fashionable"_ especially since BLM. That's why racism in France is a very touchy topic. Accusing people of being racists has become a _"weapon"_ . Every time a black person has a bad behaviour in France, they put it on racism in order to avoid questioning themselves. I didn't feel like you did it, since you precised at the beginning of the chapter that you never experienced racism in France. 😋 French people are not racists, they're just pissed with people who don't behave, people who have no respect for our country, for our culture, that's it. Why would so many African people come to France if French people were that racists? 🤔 The problem is that the more these Africans piss French people off, the more French people are angry and the more they're angry, the more African people accuse us of being racists and the more they piss us off... 😑

[@pyms2787]

I think the reason the woman didn't let you sit down is that on the bus or metro, certain seats are reserved for the disabled, pregnant women, war wounded, the elderly or adults with very young children, when there are a lot of people on board. It is also forbidden to use folding seats in the same circumstances. These rules are not always properly translated and explained on the bus, and the seats in question are not always easy to spot.

[@LOVEBABY138]

In German the same, when an elderly appears you stand up and ask if they want to sit, if they don't want, you can sit. Nowadays schools really need manner subject as I witness many young people ignore this ediquette

[@rob9853]

This is obviously the reason

[@berxandre]

It is obvious why some buildings have no elevators. They were built before elevators were invented or at least before they were common.

[@Ajachukwu]

Update: 2 months after making this video, I started drinking coffee without sugar 🫣 Actually isn’t that bad.

[@gliese909]

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. Just who likes you and who doesn't. No countrywide culture like the US. 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.

[@mecha-sheep7674]

There were racist laws in France, from 1940 to 1944, but they targeted mostly the Jews. Other laws targeted Gipsy people.

[@debraderoos5225]

Thank you for your feedback on living in France. I like to hear perspectives from people who are not French and living in the country. I have the opportunity to take a sabbatical from my teaching job next year and I am considering spending it in France. I just want to feel welcomed. I like to meet new people and would like it to be a positive experience.

[@veradexplora]

This video is so calm. And girl, can you gistttt. Loved it!

[@Ajachukwu]

Truly appreciate. Thank you so much!

[@ifiokgerald6027]

Inspiring! Good job❤

[@tressiasilver6287]

J’ai tellement rigolé pour le café !!! Ta vidéo est incroyable !!! BRAVO Aja keep shining ❤️

[@Ajachukwu]

Ma tressouneee! Merci beaucoup! Tu me manques !! ❤️❤️

[@triciamalangisha1996]

You’re awesome girl… keep soaring ❤

[@Ajachukwu]

Thank you so much !!

[@he-edd-l3784]

In a bus or a metro carriage, some seats are reserved for disabled people, pregnant women, old tired people. If the bus is full, you can’t use those seats.

[@onyeukwugeorgeuzo5928]

wonderful video Nne ...... i cant wait for more videos

[@Ajachukwu]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@delphzouzou4520]

Nice video. You made me smile with the "no chicken in the street" observation, which is a rarely mentioned culture shock, but very true nonetheless.

[@alma_eny]

We’ve missed you and we love youuuuu💕

[@Ajachukwu]

❤️❤️

[@lorraine6947]

Very nice video. Thanks for sharing.

[@asonyepauline8584]

“E dey for 2/1 market ” was it for me 🤣🤣🤣

[@Ajachukwu]

😂😂😂

[@AgbataUyo]

"E dey for 2/1 market" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 this made me smile 😁

[@Ajachukwu]

😂😂 thank you so much for watching !!

[@SPT1]

Hi, about the bus incident, it could just be that some seats are reserved for old/handicaped people and pregnant women, so if it was, it's normal that this person told you not to sit there. But you could also be right and this person was just crazy or racist.

[@backintimealwyn5736]

it's the reserved sit..Old people in a bus telling you that you can' t take that sit ...95%, it happened several time this month with my very pregnant wife, they get a little intense with that rule.

[@gloups-pf4vq]

j'ai soixante cinq ans et je n'ai jamais vu en france ou même entendu dire qu'une personne ait refusé à une personne de couleur de s'assoir à coté d'elle, en plus ça pourrait mal se passer avec le conducteur ou le controleur

[@backintimealwyn5736]

@@gloups-pf4vq jamais vu non plus. Comme je disais dans mon commentaire, je pense que c'était une place réservée pour les personnes agées-handicapées-femmes enceintes. ça je vois souvent.

[@chimaezenwoke]

We missed you!!☺️

[@Ajachukwu]

Miss me no more for I am back ☺️ Thank you so much for watching!

[@donyg21]

Nice

[@blim_u]

jolie vidéo girl!

[@Ajachukwu]

Merci beaucoup ma belle 🤩

[@marthepassoli1]

11:22 this one made me crack UP. 😀

[@chiomanwachukwu2707]

Hello Ajachukwu..i really enjoy your content . Thank you so much. Unrelated but please by God’s grace i would be relocating to france year end via the student visa route.. in the meantime i am trying to learn a skill.. i am currently skilled in wig making only and everything wigs as i sell hairs already in Nigeria. I want to learn additional skill to this as I’m not sure wigs have a big market there.I am thinking to learning Anything like nail fixing, braiding, tailoring.. just anything Please can you advice on skills that thrives there in france? I would be glad to get your candid opinion on this please. Thank you so much

[@Ajachukwu]

Hello Chioma, thank you for watching my videos. Wig making is great but I think wig installation is the in thing now? - The lady that braids my hair, sells and installs wigs for people in addition to fixing nails, braiding, doing locs. So wig making is good but you can consider wig installation and maybe nails. Goodluck! Ps: choose one or two things and try to be good at them instead of trying to do all.

[@gliese909]

Despite all the good things I say about France in terms of racial diversity, there's one act of discrimination that rather superficial and non-violent that I face often, even on zoom calls. That's the language. In France, they pressure you to speak "The King's French." For me, I speak Canadian French as a second language, despite being from the states and never have been the Canada. This is because my teachers were Canadian. I often get teased a lot because of my Canadian accent. At least not in a threatening manner, thank God! However, when talking with a French national, I often get corrected or called out on when using "frowned upon" Canadian style grammar or more loosely using "Tu" instead of "vous" or "on" instead of "nous". This is still nothing compared to the violent racism in the states though.

[@modestaagu8447]

😂😂😂😂😂 that’s the thing people aren’t nosy, it was a shock to me too unlike in Nigeria. “ one person doesn’t own a child” in Africa

[@Ajachukwu]

One person doesn’t own a child o. You do anyhow you see anyhow 😂

[@okelechurchill]

I love me some chickens running around 😢

[@medinaelijah6741]

Hello. Can someone change visit visa to language study in France or working visa

[@mecha-sheep7674]

We do have chicken in the countryside, but they don't run everywhere, or else a fox, a dog, a bird of prey or a car will soon kill it. In towns, there are nearly none, because of the noise they make.

[@faitie6970]

I like how you were not quick to jump to the conclusion that her treatment of you was a racist reaction. It could have been and could not have been. I am sorry you experienced that nonetheless. We all deserve better experiences from our fellow humans.

[@GracyIma]

Can u work and pay your school fee in France?do they pay well?

[@lauriscakalongo3566]

Jaime 💗💗💗💗👌

[@O_GFADA]

How much did it cost you to live and study in France in your first year

[@marthepassoli1]

Du courage en France ma sœur !

[@honeybadger556]

You look good

[@asoebistyleslatestupdate7796]

Thanks dearie. Can an international student get a job without speaking French?

[@AmakaEgo]

There building will definitely keep me in shape lol 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Ajachukwu]

😂😂😂😂

[@michellemobakeng5938]

Their buildings... vs there is/are

[@HelloWorld-yx2qb]

Comment vous est parti en france . Pouvez vous nous expliquer s'il vous plait. Surtout du Nigeria

[@Ajachukwu]

Coucou, j’ai parlé de ça dans cette vidéo : kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIixfaChpdt7pNU

[@bashirmuhdyusuf8821]

Which school are you studying

[@princessvictor4488]

I love you so so much 🥺and I love your videos. They are so informative and inspiring. Can I be your friend and follow you on ig too?

[@Ajachukwu]

Hey! Thank you! Of course you can. What’s your ig?

[@graciousmwaba]

Interesting video🥰😂

[@Ajachukwu]

Thank you very much for watching !! ❤️

[@AgbataUyo]

Yooo the 'stairs' thing ehhh 😒+ they don't even count the 1st floor that they call 'rez de chaussée'

[@Ajachukwu]

Omo I’m telling you o!

[@Ajachukwu]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@umbrellagirl4817]

Are there student jobs in France?like part time jobs

[@Ajachukwu]

Yes there are.

[@jean-philippemontout3708]

where are you from Nigeria

[@momoh6696]

how did you learn french?

[@Ajachukwu]

I documented how I learnt french here : kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zoixe6GOi82NrpI

[@narendrarajpurohit5152]

love from INDIA dear

[@graciousmwaba]

Catching the bus😂😂😂🤣🤣

[@AgbataUyo]

Chicken doing kukuruku 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣oh please lol

[@temple_fretz8066]

I have missed your videos.

[@Ajachukwu]

I’d try to be more consistent. Thank you so much for watching !

[@Favoura0]

Did you learn French before leaving Nigeria?

[@Ajachukwu]

No, learned here.

[@josephjego283]

I like the way you mentioned the scenario about the lady that said you should not sit, you obviously don't know what is wrong in her head, remain blessed in France. I'm also a Nigerian hoping to come and do my msc in France, that's why I'm here. Good video.

[@Casimir2811]

Maybe this lady was indeed a racist, I don't know. It can happen, especially with elders, as they don't like to see their world change and mix with other cultures, which is kinda sad, from my point of view. But there could also be another explanation : in France, in public transportation, there are some seats that are preferably "reserved" for pregnant women, older or disabled people. And valid people are supposed to let these seats vacant. Maybe this lady was talking about this.

[@saazsagacity4465]

I will be coming to lille for masters soon . Can I have your IG. Work dey France?

[@AmakaEgo]

Okay I think maybe I’m a French girl then lol. I had my first phone like in primary 5. I take black coffee, yeah like coffee ,no sugar no milk, almost every day. But it’s interesting to see France through you. Oh you didn’t tell us about the food . How did you cope with no spice ?

[@Ajachukwu]

Me I know France has been calling you since you were in your mother’s belly 😂 about spice, there are usually some shops that sell pepper. Took me a while to find but i did cos I needed pepper for sure.

[@farukmohammed4622]

Catching a bus.. Jumping out of a moving bus .. we get am for Lagos 😂😂

[@Ajachukwu]

😂😂😂😂

[@raheemmodinat1868]

Please are there jobs for welders in France Asking for my husband moving down to france I need all the help we can get sis

[@sttmw]

Tu devrais envisager ,de passé le permis de conduire ! C'est une autres total liberté de circuler avec sont véhicule. Partout quand tu veux! Merci bonne chance.👌

[@kamsinwanekezie2460]

😂😂😂😂 Coffee without sugar = cultism

[@Ajachukwu]

Like do you getttt😂😂😂

[@iremnaz3148]

nigerians in paris

[@teer5493]

Did you ask her why you cannot sit there?

[@Ajachukwu]

I did and she did not respond.

[@etolawrence5398]

Secondary school students in Nigeria now use smart phones. Its becoming a thing here also. Please dont sugar coat racism o..it is..and its bad

[@Ajachukwu]

Omo, the world is rapidly changing I guess. Thank you so much for watching

[@ZeChADPK]

Quit calling racism at every opportunity when there is obviously not Grow some confidence and learn to live with yourself instead of playing the victim, Geez so annoying

[@marieouraga9525]

You obviously have a problem like the lady in the bus. This girl has confidence, knows herself and is definitely not playing the victim in this video. If your ears are clean enough, you would understand that she just did a story time of what happened and suggested multiple reasons to understand the lady’s action. Get yourself a job, hobby or make your life exciting instead of spreading negativity🙄

[@iyke333]

French people are okey, but as a Nigerian I don't like the African French colony, they kind of irritating.

[@Ajachukwu]

When you say ‘African French colony’ do you mean Francophone Africans ? As in Africans that were colonised by the french ? (Senegal, Benin etc)?

[@Ajachukwu]

Since I didn’t get a response, I’m coming back to say, the Francophone Africans I’ve met so far here are the most selfless, kind, genuinely caring people ever. So…

[@etolawrence5398]

Coffee without sugar..ewww..lol

[@ironfistarrival]

Now it is 2024 , it has been 3 years and few months you are there ,are you still there ? Are you from Jamaica ?

[@rioknight6312]

So many mean people in France.

[@umbrellagirl4817]

Are there student jobs in France?like part time jobs

[@Ajachukwu]

Yes there are.