A migrant’s journey never ends once the final “destination” is reached. For many of the migrants and refugees who have chosen to settle in Paris, their stories, histories, and lives have continued to flourish and evolve for generations. This is not only evident through the presence and preservation of culture, language, architecture, and art throughout the city but in their everyday human interaction. As you walk through the tight, cobblestone streets of the Marais or down the busy Boulevard Barbes, you will find people of all races, backgrounds, and religions smiling, welcoming you in to explore their specialty shops, businesses, restaurants, or cafes. For some, these spaces are a reminder of home, the friends and family, as well as the food they have left behind. For others, these spaces are a window into unfamiliar parts of the world, offering an authentic glimpse into the culture, beauty, and lives of people from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. More importantly, however, these spaces are a critical reminder of our common humanity. Despite the differences in our appearance, religion, culture, or worldviews, a common struggle and a common desire for happiness, hope, and humanity connects us all. It is precisely what has and will continue to encourage so many innocent people to risk their lives - leaving everything they have ever known and loved behind - in the hopes for a better future.
Rather than rejecting the people or the cultural spaces that unite the city of Paris, it should become a priority to magnify and welcome these communities. Only by celebrating difference can we break down the barriers that truly inhibit coexistence from flourishing.
The term “refugee” derives from the Latin word “refugium.” This means “the act of taking refuge.” It, however, was first used in France to refer to the Huguenots. These were French Protestants who fled the country after the Edict of Nantes, a law protecting their religious liberties, was revoked in 1685. When it was first used, the term referred to the “loss” of culture, art, and knowledge that France had suffered as a result of their emigration. As then, it would be interesting to consider how the city of Paris would transform without the richness of its cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity. From the growing number of falafel shops in the Marais to the lively fruit vendors who line the busy streets of Belleville, many would argue that the cultural and ethnic diversity catalyzed by migration has become one of the city's greatest assets.
