2009.135: Dignity
Many people come to France seeking asylum for many reasons. In about 1983, I moved to a new region and had to go register with the police. When I showed up for this, I was in a waiting room with at least 200 people of varied origins. There were people from southern Europe, people from North Africa, Asia and many did not speak the language. I will never forget this scene. Here were human beings, far from home, needing to register, afraid of the future and being treated like cattle. Voices of the public servants in the department were often raised, as if the person could understand better if you just shouted the question at them.
Ironically, and this is what struck me and is engraved in my memory today, when it came to be my turn, the way I was treated and the expression on the functionary's face basically said "Thank goodness you're white!". Although I had an easy time with that interview, I remain deeply embarassed for the human race because of the way others were treated.
