Paris Restaurant Row With Serena Williams: Why The French Capital Is Often Involved In Disputes With Bla..ck Elites, Way Forward (Entertainment)
It seems Paris just cannot help it!
The City of Lights is always at the epicentre of rows with eminent and top net worth bla...c k figures.
It was Oprah Winfrey in recent years. At a period when she's the number one richest female person in the world and the richest bla...c k human, having the highest rated television show on television, she was denied attendance at a Hermes store in Paris. She explained on her show later, that the attendants had ni clue who she was and snubbed her ostensibly, because of her c o l o u r.
Next up is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the decorated Nigeria literary icon. She famously called out the country for their treatment of her, right from their immigration point, anytime she visits France mostly for professional events. She said she's been in the country almost 14 times as at then, yet, she was dinhked out for demeaning treatment at border patrol.
Now, it's Serena Williams. Alongside Alex Ihanian, her husband, and two kids, the tennis living legend was denied access to an elite Parisien restaurant with sweeping views over the iconic Eiffel Tower. Although, as she said, the restaurant was empty.
The hotel apologised, but gave various explanations. One, it said Serena looked "unrecognizable"..Two, she had no reservation. Three, the restaurant was fully booked. Fourth, the restaurant might look empty but those empty tables were reserved, with prospective diners arriving any minute. h
All the other reason stated are feasible. The amorphous part is that part about her not "recognizable." Maybe she was in disguise? For an athlete who participated in 24 Grand Slams, including the Paris Open, every year for over 24 years, this is laughable. Or does this mean, Serena looked "unrecognizable" because of her r a c e? That only w h I...t e s are allowed to fine in such stories, exclusive and luxury restaurant? This is pertinent because w h I t e e l I t e s have not been reported to face this situation.
One thing for sure is, France is too inward-looking. It is a country very very insular, very concerned about happenings in the world, especially, the English-speaking world. If you don't have staff that will literally provide a resume if your background, and followed up by that staff, you could be the president of a nation and be turned back at exclusive locations in Paris if you just show up unannounced, thinking your face would carry you through! You could be popular everywhere but Parisiens don't know you, they don't feverishly consume news that's not about France! They care less about the world!
So, despite Serena's high pedigree, vast majority of Parisiens don't know her. So, Serena Williams was not "recognizable" to the exclusive Parisian restaurant.
B l a c k celebrities had better start having staff send their resumes to exclusive Parisian restaurants in advance, or, ring and book in advance.
In the 21st century France though, this is unacceptable. This cultural pride is now getting too embarrassing and could price costlier to its image. The unspoken point Serena was making, is that had her s k I n c o l o u r been w h I t e star, the restaurant would have scrambled to squeeze in a table somewhere in that dining area to eat in, full booking or not.
Exclusive hotels, restaurants, tourist hot spots and immigration best engage the services of VIP spotters who would instantly "recognize" b l a c k elites and prevent further unpleasantly awkward occurrences.
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