Life In Paris as a Black American Woman in the 21st Century
Life in Paris as a Black American Woman
Photo credit: Irene Antonia Diane Reece
An excerpt from Life In Paris as a Black American Woman: An Update by Bunny Aubert. Copyright by the author and reprinted with permission.
In early 2016, ELLE.com published my essay about what my life was like as a Black American woman in Paris. Through that platform, I’ve been able to meet so many incredible people who have shared their stories and experiences with me. In many ways, that essay changed my life–one could argue that if it weren’t for that essay, I wouldn’t have met my husband.
Since then, a lot of people have asked if I still stand by my words, and if I still feel the way I did back then.
For the most part, yes.
I think the most important thing to remember is that while the #BlackExperience is not monolithic, there are definitely commonalities. One of these is unfortunately micro-aggressions–even if we haven’t learned to recognize all of them yet.
When I wrote the essay, I had just moved back to Paris. Back to the place I thought I wanted to be forever and ever amen. Now, I dream of other places and of being other selves.
As of just a few weeks ago, I am no longer blonde (a lesson in self control as I let my hair grow), and I’ve noticed a marked decrease in questions about which of one of my parents is white.
For the record, they’re both black.
I’m also meeting significantly fewer strangers at this point in my life, since I have a routine, a regular job, and a group of friends, so I generally experience fewer micro-aggressions in a social setting. But that doesn’t mean that they’ve stopped.
“I’ve noticed more and more French people starting to read Baldwin–thanks, in part to the recent films on him and his work–and becoming aware of Maya Angelou. ”
When I used to give English lessons to adults here, there were always a few students who questioned my American-ness and qualifications, to the point where I’d have to start classes with a speech about my education and upbringing. Even then, I was sometimes challenged with a question all too familiar to most of us: Where are you really from?
New Jersey.
However, in the three and a half years since the essay, I’ve noticed more and more French people starting to read Baldwin–thanks, in part to the recent films on him and his work–and becoming aware of Maya Angelou.
Hey, it’s a start.
I find myself having more nuanced conversations about race, as well. I chalk this up, in part, to the horrific policies under 45’s administration making daily headlines around the world.
Continue reading on PAS TRÈS FRANÇAISE.