Homage to Angela Davis

Angela Davis
March 28, 2006
Photo by Nick Wiebe
CAPDIV (Cercle d’Action pour la Promotion de la Diversité), a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of diversity in France, is organizing a tribute to Angela Davis for Black History Month 2012. L’Université des Mondes Noirs (the University of Black Worlds), l’ACSE (Agence National pour la Cohesion Social et l’Egalité des Chances [National Agency for Social Cohesion and Equal Opportunity]), the mayor’s office of the City of Paris, and CRAN (Conseil Représentatif des Associations Noires [Representative Council of Black Associations]) are partners in the affair.

The theme of the event is “Black Women and Feminism.” The flier that promotes the tribute indicates that:

For Angela Davis, black feminism considers sexism and racism to be always intertwined. The liberation of black women will liberate everyone, given that it will mean the end of exploitation of the races, sexes, and social classes. Angela Davis wrote a book about women blues singers of the 1920s [Blues Legacies and Black Feminism, Vintage (1999)] who contributed to the creation of working class feminism.

The homage will take place on February 25, 2012, from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, including a cocktail at the conclusion of the event. The program consists of a half-hour jazz recital by songstress Laetitia NDiaye, the projection of a film entitled Angela Davis, Une Légende Vivante (Angela Davis, A Living Legend), and a debate on the question of black feminism. The panel for the debate includes Mme Maboula Soumahoro, specialist in African-American studies; M. Louis-Georges Tin, president of CRAN; and M. Paul Heutching, journalist.

Reservations are required. To reserve, contact CAPDIV by e-mail at contact@capdiv.org.

Les Femmes Noires et le Féminisme
Hommage à Angela Yvonne Davis
Black History Month 2012
Maison des Mines
270, rue Saint Jacques
75005 Paris
RER: Luxembourg (Line B)

************

Entrée to Black Paris!™ is a Discover Paris! blog.

If you liked this article, share it with your friends and colleagues by clicking on one or more of the social media buttons below!

A Black Man is Running for President in France!

Each month, our Paris Insights newsletter presents the hidden jewels that comprise the "real" Paris – the people and places that are the true heart and soul of the city.
Click here to sign up for the Paris Insights newsletter announcements and to receive our free Practical Paris guide!
************

Patrick Lozès, founder and former president of CRAN - the Conseil Représentatif des Associations Noirs - is running for president in France!

Patrick Lozès
Photo by Ed Alcock for the NY Times

With his candidacy, he intends to make heard the voices of those in France who are minorities, non-represented, and invisible. He intends to run his campaign as a platform for equality with emphasis on education and the economy.

Lozès is a former member of the national council of the left-wing UDF (Union for French Democracy) party. He founded CRAN, an umbrella organization for numerous black associations in France, in 2005. He has handed over the reins of the organization to former CRAN first vice-president Claudine Tisserand so that he can be free to run without any conflict of interest.

Patrick Lozès; president of CRAN, surrounded by members of the organization
Photo by Martin Bureau AFP

Although census records in France do not report population by ethnic category, Lozès believes that the black population consists of approximately 5 million persons, of which 80% are French citizens. Similarly, the majority of the "Arab-Maghreb" population of 6 million persons is also French. Though his candidacy will undoubtedly appeal to these segments of the population, Lozès says that he intends to campaign among all of France's approximately 61 million citizens. He says that he believes in France, that he has confidence in its values, and that he knows what he "owes to the Republic."

Lozès will be the second black candidate for France's highest elected office. The first was Christiane Taubira, deputy for French Guiana in the National Assembly (analogous to the U.S. House of Representatives), who ran for president in 2002.

France's next presidential election will be held in April 2012.

************

Entrée to Black Paris!™ is a Discover Paris! blog.

If you like this posting, share it with your friends by using one of the social media links below!