A few years ago a French man I used to know mentioned the Haitian reparations, and could only see it as a reasonable compensation for the French people killed in the uprising (no sympathy for the preceding years of slavery).
Fast forward a couple of years, and his attitude to the Donbass was that by declaring independence, they had left U…
A few years ago a French man I used to know mentioned the Haitian reparations, and could only see it as a reasonable compensation for the French people killed in the uprising (no sympathy for the preceding years of slavery).
Fast forward a couple of years, and his attitude to the Donbass was that by declaring independence, they had left Ukraine with no choice but to launch the ATO. We don't hang out any more.
I blame the french educational system for this. In France, they teach colonialism not as a destruction of all aspects of economy, culture and heritage. Instead, they teach colonialism as kind of a "bringing of civilization" to the backwards classes. With incomplete education and actually distorting history like this, it leads to these kinds of attitudes.
That's true, but I feel that once people are adults they need to take some responsibility for still holding those sorts of opinions. Not that it would have made much difference to him- most of his friends don't feel as strongly about it
I agree. There is much time to unlearn as adults. Unfortunately, most people are comfortable with the myths that surround them. That way they can live comfortably in France without having to think about how they are benefiting from the CFA zone etc etc
A few years ago a French man I used to know mentioned the Haitian reparations, and could only see it as a reasonable compensation for the French people killed in the uprising (no sympathy for the preceding years of slavery).
Fast forward a couple of years, and his attitude to the Donbass was that by declaring independence, they had left Ukraine with no choice but to launch the ATO. We don't hang out any more.
I blame the french educational system for this. In France, they teach colonialism not as a destruction of all aspects of economy, culture and heritage. Instead, they teach colonialism as kind of a "bringing of civilization" to the backwards classes. With incomplete education and actually distorting history like this, it leads to these kinds of attitudes.
That's true, but I feel that once people are adults they need to take some responsibility for still holding those sorts of opinions. Not that it would have made much difference to him- most of his friends don't feel as strongly about it
I agree. There is much time to unlearn as adults. Unfortunately, most people are comfortable with the myths that surround them. That way they can live comfortably in France without having to think about how they are benefiting from the CFA zone etc etc