Lilian Thuram, the celebrated former footballer, held a public talk in Salernes, Var, addressing the persistent issue of racism and the importance of education in combatting it.

Thuram, who has dedicated nearly two decades to this cause, emphasized the necessity of confronting racism as a learned behavior that can be challenged and changed.

During the event, organized in collaboration with the local bookstore Caractères Libres and the community space Terra Verde, Thuram shared personal experiences that shaped his understanding of race.

Reflecting on his childhood, Thuram recounted an incident at the age of nine when he faced racial insults shortly after moving from Guadeloupe to France, a moment he views as a profound awakening to the realities of racism.

Thuram underscored the role of education in this fight, claiming, 'Saying good evening, saying thank you, that’s my mother who taught me, and that’s called education.' He noted that behaviors like racism, sexism, and homophobia are often learned through societal conditioning.

He urged the audience to be courageous in recognizing and combating these ingrained prejudices.

A noteworthy discussion point was the concept of “white privilege,” where he highlighted its historical context and current implications.

Thuram asserted that while all communities face challenges, the experience of being marginalized for race significantly differs, particularly for those who are Black or of North African descent.

Thuram shared his mother’s reaction when he first reported racial abuse, recalling her words: 'That’s just how it is; people are racists, and they won’t change.' This reaction, he explained, contributed to a sense of fatalism, which he has come to reject through a deeper understanding of history and social constructs.

In a broader context, Thuram charged that racism is a mechanism used by powerful interests to maintain control and exploitation.

He emphasized that social divisions, such as conflicts between different disadvantaged groups, are a pervasive strategy employed by those in power.

Citing historical examples, he drew connections between modern economic disenfranchisement and historical injustices like slavery and colonization.

Addressing the dynamics of public and personal responses to racial slurs, he pointed out that victims often face scrutiny for their reactions, which can lead to further victimization.

'When you defend yourself against racism with emotion and anger, it often turns back against you,' he remarked, paralleling the experiences of women facing similar dynamics in instances of sexism.

Thuram also discussed his decision to decline an invitation from former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to serve as a Minister of Diversity.

He articulated that for him, politics should prioritize caring for others rather than mere opportunism.

He highlighted the importance of recognizing the humanity of migrants, stating, 'It’s not because they are migrants, but simply because they are human beings.'

In response to concerns expressed by audience members regarding the rise of overt racist rhetoric, Thuram maintained an optimistic outlook.

He noted historical improvements in the fight against racism, referencing the abolition of slavery and the dismantling of apartheid as indicators of societal progress.

'There are many of us who resist.

We are more numerous than you think.

In the end, resistance always wins,' he asserted.

The evening concluded with Thuram engaging with attendees, signing books, and sharing his message with local students in Aups and Barjols on the following day.