大象传媒

France has questions to answer around inequity and its approach to policing. It follows days of violent protests after the fatal shooting in Paris, during a police traffic stop, of a 17-year-old boy of Algerian descent.

The world also witnessed some of the country鈥檚 social issues laid bare, as anger around discrimination in some of France鈥檚 poorest areas spread across the country and came, once again, to the fore.

In this edition, hosted by James Reynolds, we bring together young French men, mothers and those in public office from the capital鈥檚 suburbs to share their experiences of school, work and with the police. They talk of a society that can appear to treat you differently because of your skin colour.

鈥淭he country, the Republic, have failed the children,鈥� says Magalie, who is of African descent. 鈥淭he only vocabulary they have today to express themselves, to express their pain, their fear, is through violence. And that is not normal.鈥�

We also hear from Zartoshte Bakhtiari, Mayor of Neuilly-sur-Marne and Mieri Mayoulou Niambi, the Deputy Mayor of Marie de Noisel, two of the places that witnessed the rioting in recent days. They discuss the damage, the possible causes for local unrest and what needs to be done to ensure greater harmony and a more peaceful future.

A co-production between the 大象传媒 OS team and Boffin Media.

(Police hold down young people during the fifth night of protests following the death of Nahel, a 17-year-old teenager killed by a French police officer in Nanterre during a traffic stop, in the Champs Elysees area, in Paris, France, July 2, 2023. REUTERS/Juan Medina)