The Christmas market organized throughout the weekend in the 18th arrondissement featured products from "African and Afro-descendant creators."
On social media, internet users expressed their incomprehension, and even anger, upon seeing a Christmas market that took place this weekend at Le Hasard Ludique in Paris (18th arrondissement). Organized by the association "Je Consomme Noir" (I Consume Black), it featured products from "African and Afro-descendant creators" (food, alcohol, ready-to-wear, books, beauty products...), according to the event description.
One internet user, who is also a La République en marche (LREM) representative in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, criticized it on Saturday evening as "a community market," soon followed by several others. "Discrimination," "segregation," even "racism," they exclaimed.
Contacted by Le Figaro, the association Je Consomme Noir, which presents itself as "a platform aimed at supporting black businesses, run by volunteers," does not wish to enter the debate. "We are not doing politics, we want to convey a positive message by doing things for our community," explains a volunteer, who emphasizes having received positive feedback from customers "of all races." "But we expected to have this type of criticism," she admits.
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While some internet users question the legality of such an initiative due to its perceived "discriminatory" nature, it actually poses no legal problem, according to Michaël Amado, a lawyer at the Paris and Quebec bars and a specialist in commercial law. "Just like an Alsatian, Provençal, or Caribbean Christmas market, nothing prevents merchants from grouping around a theme, whether it is being Black, African, or Afro-descendant," explains the head of the Amado Avocats firm.
However, "it would be discriminatory to forbid consumers from coming to enjoy the products on the sole pretext that they are not part of the organizing community," he specifies, which is not the case for the Christmas market organized by Je Consomme Noir, which is open to all.