A French court has mandated that the city of Biarritz rename its La Negresse historic district, following efforts from activists who claim the name represents an outdated colonial legacy. This ruling is part of a broader campaign against racially and sexually charged place names. The name, believed to refer to a black woman linked to the area's historical inn, is seen as perpetuating a demeaning association. The court concluded that regardless of the name's origin, it likely undermines human dignity and can be perceived as offensive to individuals of African descent.
The court ruled that, whatever the supposed origin of the name, the term La Negresse today evokes, in a demeaning way, the racial origin of a woman whose identity has not been formally identified.
Activists want city officials to rename the La Negresse district as well as one of the city's streets, rue de la Negresse, citing racism and sexism in these historic names.
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