France: When racism peaks - and the mountains are claimed as white‑only spaces

Black and Arab communities in France encounter pervasive prejudices when engaging in outdoor sports. A recent video on TikTok sparked outrage, as the creator claimed the mountains of the French Alps were exclusively for white individuals. The video, which featured a celebration of the lack of ethnically diverse hikers, garnered two types of responses: racist and Islamophobic comments, as well as a counterattack spearheaded by young people using the hashtag “Wallah, we’re coming.”

This movement rallied individuals, including those wearing hijabs, to assert their presence in outdoor spaces, emphasizing that nature belongs to everyone. Zeynab Alabbar, a co-founder of a modest sportswear brand, joined the movement by participating in hiking and trekking activities, highlighting the irony of being urged to integrate while simultaneously facing exclusion from spaces that should be inclusive.

The paradox faced by ethnic minorities in France, where they are often expected to assimilate yet barred from activities and locations meant for all, is evident in Alabbar's experience. Similarly, Jumia Alaoui, a hijabi hiker from Essonne, encountered stares and questions about her attire while hiking with friends in the Fontainebleau forest.

The video promoting a mountain devoid of Arabs, along with the supportive comments it received, underscores the rejection and racism that persist, even in the face of a viral counterattack promoting inclusivity.