How France’s Colonial Past Explains Its Racism Today

Despite resistance from French elite, there’ve been growing calls for France to recognize and apologize for its violent colonization of millions of people in Africa and Asia. In fact, by 1901, France ruled 79 million people over 4.6 million square miles. “Where would France be without its colonies in the Caribbean?” asks Professor Mame-Fatou Niang. “Where would France be without its huge possessions in Sub-Saharan Africa? Where would France be without its possessions in Asia, without Algeria?” Subscribe for more videos: Sign up for subtext, our newsletter about the people and movements driving change in our society: Follow us on Instagram: Like us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: