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Flashmag August 2018 www.flashmag.net
I think it is useless. I think the term itself is not pejorative, but its use is problematic. But hey, you cannot erase the experiences you've had, someone who was born in the 50s or 60s, knows very well what it means to be black. When it is said that being white or black is the same, it will tell you no. Everything is at the level of the course and experiences. This is what makes us understand whether race, and its corollary racism exists or not. For me, we are of different origins, but we are all part of the human race. The problem is that some peoples want to balkanize humanity. They want to categorize people by sex, by color and so on, and it suits those who find the way to manipulate society to push their agenda.
The news is the world cup. So, according to the South African comedian Trevor Noah, Africa won the World Cup for France, and you what do you think?
I do not find that very funny. It is true that, given my origins I am Cameroonian, and I am happy that those who share the same origins as mine have been part of this team. But I find it unhealthy that each time, some think to remind people indirectly that they are not French. When they say that it is, Africa which has won it’s degrading for the players, because it is a way of saying that they are not French. Well I understand that they are like me, the consequence of colonization, but they are not less French. It's been 2 or 3 generations that we are here, and it is time for people to stop remembering our origins at a time of national jubilation, even if we ourselves are proud of it.
The idea of Gaulish France after more than 400 years of permanent contact with the rest of the world, and Africa, is not obsolete? Isn’t it time for France to embrace its multiculturalism?
But precisely it is time to stop reminding the former colonized where they come from. France will never again only be a white and catholic country. Some have come from Eastern Europe and since they are integrated they are never told where they come from. The problem is that some French people have trouble accepting that a French born on another continent, or whose parents come from Africa are just as French as them.
Good. To return to the music the single is there, is there any hope, to finally see the new album of Princess Erika in store this year?
Ah yes, of course if it is not for the end of this year, it will be at the beginning of next year. I have not set a date yet. But things seem to be on the right track. For example, I have one of the songs from this album that will be produced in an international compilation.
This album to come on which symbol you place it ? what is it inspired globally?
Like all my other albums it will be based on my personal experience, there is for example that song which speaks of migrants… the setbacks of a woman in love who is waiting for her man, I have a duet with Diana King the Jamaican singer where, we talk about homosexuality and heterosexuality as women.
At the end of this interview do you have a special word for the public, a tip for young people who want to make a career in the arts what is the winning formula?
The most important thing is to stay yourself, do not give in to temptation, I have a friend artist who was trapped by a contract for 3 years, she is obliged to do some type of music and wear a certain type of clothing, and when you give in it is difficult to back down. One has a better knowledge of its personality than of another one that some want to impose on us. In the infatuation and envy sometimes, we sign, closing our eyes. art is not money, it’s sharing with people. You must be strong enough in your head and surround yourself with good people to go far. This implies self-control and mastering the environment if one is fragile it is not worth trying.
Apart from the album that arrives soon, and the single that is there since May 29, I'll be back on television in the series Access on Canal + . You can stay up to date by following me on social media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
Princess Erika Flashmag and its readership say thank you for this interview good continuation.
Interview by Hubert Marlin
Journalist