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African Americans |
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African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans) in France are people of African heritage or black people from the United States who are or have become residents or citizens of France. This includes students and temporary workers.
France has historically been described as a "haven" for Africans, having officially declared itself a colorblind society following the abolition of slavery in 1794.[1] Africans have migrated to France since the 19th century, often to escape the prevalent racism in the United States. The emergence of WWI and the subsequent rise of jazz in France laid the foundations for bustling African community, and opened doors for black performers, writers, and artists. France does not collect information about race or ethnicity in their census, making it impossible to gauge how many Africans are currently in France.[2] Recent years have brought calls for a racial awakening in France, and a resurgence of black pride under the ideology of "négritude."[1]