French Black Liberal Writer: "Rama, Why Are You Silent On The 'Smearing' Of Black Socialist Criminal Ali Soumare?"
Claude Ribbe, a leftist writer, criticizes the moderate-conservative politico - who is known as "La Rebelle" (The Rebel) for her outspokeness - for not defending Ali Soumare, a Socialist Party candidate running in a local election in the Ile-de-France region in next month's elections. The ruling center-right UMP (Ms. Yade's party) has made accusations that Soumare - who is a Muslim, of Malian immigrant parents - is a "repeat criminal offender," with five criminal convictions, which has virtually torpedoed Soumare's electoral bid. Yet a local judge on Feb. 23 revealed that in at least one instance, Soumare had been wrongfully accused. However, Soumare has four criminal convictions (he has admitted to at least one conviction, which involved theft and minor assault).
Mr. Ribbe argues that Ms. Yade should come to Soumare's defense: "I remember Rama Yade had written a [best-selling] book titled Noirs de France [Blacks Of France]. I don't know if she denounced racism or not, or whether she was advocating affirmative action, from which she has benefited. In any case, I would've liked her opinion on the Soumare matter. Rama, who once spoke all the time, we do not hear anymore. We heard Fadela [Amara, a French feminist and current UMP member]; we heard Rachida [Dati, the former Justice Minister and current UMP member]. Both said that it was wrong to lynch Soumare. But Rama, mum. Yet it would be the time to know what she thinks of her fellow candidates who spit and vomit on the 'black socialist' by the pretty words of Alexis Brézet, the uninhibited journalist of Le Figaro, the disciple of Finkielkraut. For we must remember, for those who don't remember, that Rama is on the Pécresse list [as a candidate in the Hauts-de-Seine area]. Rama's opinion would've been even more interesting because she herself refused to stand in Val d'Oise, where Soumare is top of [his party's] list, and there is yet much from 'noirs de France' there than inclusion in the much more chic, Hauts de Seine, where there are far fewer 'noirs de France.'"
He continues: "Thank you, Rama Yade, having become popular and thus have furthered the cause of "noirs de France"! Here I understand. To reach the government and make oneself known, one must present oneself as a 'black' representative. To continue to be popular, and especially to continue to be part of the government when one is 'black', don't mention 'black' and always look at the ceiling when people in your party are busy breaking the Negro."
Rama Yade On The Olympics: "France Did Alright, But We Should've Done Better"
The French Secretary of State for Sport and moderate-conservative is satisfied that the record of medals has been achieved, although she argues that France must diversity its sports performance to become a Top 5 country in the medal count (article in French). Excerpts:
How would you assess these Olympics? Eleven medals, not bad. The objective has been achieved. We had some nice surprises with the biathlon. They were a young team and we didn't necessarily expect things like Marie Dorin with her bronze medal. There are lots of women too. I felt a good atmosphere. It's that on the Alpine skiing or the ice sports, we have a longer wait in the class of athletes presented.
Aren't you disappointed when France could've have had more medals? I don't want to focus on anyone. Do not throw stones. They're doing the best they can. I am very proud of the medals. I also encourage those who failed to get on the podium. Hockey wasn't represented, nor bobsled. When one wants to appear in three or four best nations, it is important to dispatch performance in all its [sports] associations and not in some disciplines. Biathlon produced 2/3 of our medals. We need hockey, bobsled, ice sports to give a little, at least more than today.
To comment on "France: Rama Yade In The News" post, click here.
France: Rama Yade In The News
