Omar Sy, often presented as one of the favorite personalities of the French, is on the front page of New Obs, and D’Today in France-Sunday. The hero of the film Untouchablesand the series Lupinereleased a book of interviews entitled Come on, let’s talk. Is he a ” symbol » ? asks him New Obs. It presents itself as “ son of West African immigrants, raised in the suburbs, black and Muslim.” ” If we combine all that,” he adds, “ it makes this cocktail that you call a symbol and it becomes political. (…) It’s the people who make it political, I can’t do anything about it.”
Which brings Today in France-Sunday to make this comment: “ Omar Sy knows what he wants to say and especially what he doesn’t want to say. Because his word counts, but it can be used against him, a French star now based in the United States, who gives his opinion on France, even though he no longer lives there much.” “ Is it to no longer be constantly assimilated to a skin color that he established his family in the United States? ” interrogates the New Obs. “ It’s mainly linked to my success”, he replies. “ I wanted to protect my children (…) that’s why the United States became an interesting place, to raise them in anonymity “.
Aya Nakamura
Even if he denies doing politics, Omar Sy does not renounce any comments. This is the case when he is questioned about Aya Nakamura, whose possible participation in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, sparked derogatory comments from the far right. “ I don’t judge anything”assures Omar Sy.
“ I make the sad observation that we are at this point in France. That in 2024 there will still be a debate on an artist like Aya Nakamura, whose career and great talent I salute. My optimism is put to the test.”. Is he worried about the rise of the far right in France? “ I have no comment to make”replies the 46-year-old actor, “ it would be way too long. We will see where France will be in the next elections.”
Read alsoOmar Sy, an extraordinary journey
” Resentment “
In The Sunday JournalOmar Sy is challenged by the West Indian journalist Christine Kelly, who addresses him, and assures that the “ racism, she knows ». But she adds: “ France gives, I believe, a chance to everyone “. And she lists the names of well-known and recognized personalities, who are very successful in France, including Aya Nakamura, taking care, however, not to mention the comments of the extreme right towards her.
Returning to Omar Sy, Christine Kelly asserts: “ Those who criticize France are often those who have succeeded, as if they were closing the door behind them, instead of showing the way.” “ Racism today »also assures the journalist, “ it’s the one that really harms the people said “racialized”it is the one which consists of placing millions of people in victimization.”
Despite all his precautions to avoid overly political subjects, Omar Sy therefore finds himself in the dock and is even suspected by the JDD of “ provide young people “racialized” a pretext for resentment “.
Great Britain, Canada, USA
“ France gives everyone a chance”can we read in the JDD, the reality would however be more complex. This is what emerges from a survey carried out by three sociologists and entitled: “ You love France but you are leaving it. Survey of the French Muslim diaspora ». “ It is estimated that nearly 200 000 the number of expatriate Muslims »tells us the Nouvel Obs, “ and everything suggests that it has increased since 2015, following the attacks and their consequences.”
Who are they ? “ They were often born here,” explains the weekly, “ almost all have French nationality, they are of varied origins, but especially North African (…) they come from all of France, not just from the suburbs. Some have parents who were already middle class. And many of them could aspire to it, having had very good studies. But they made another choice, that of leaving.”
Many now live in English-speaking countries, such as Britain, Canada and the United States. Why did they leave their country? “ It’s often a straw that breaks the camel’s back”, we learn in this investigation. “ And most often, the trigger is professional. It is produced by the feeling of coming up against a “glass ceiling”, in progression within the company. Sometimes it’s just an opportunity : them who “did everything right” do not find an internship in France, but they are sent elsewhere, where they discover another way of living, then find a job that matches their qualifications.” And Nouvel Obs concludes: “ What about all those French Muslims who share this respectable quest for a dignified and peaceful life (…) who have the impression that it is impossible to live here, and who do not can’t afford to leave? »
Read alsoFrance: SOS Racisme demonstrates its support for Aya Nakamura under the windows of the RN