This weekend I returned to Nice, France, to celebrate Le Carnaval (Mardi Gras, Riviera style). Although I enjoyed eating, watching the parade and running from 9-year-old "silly-stringers"; the parade's undesirable stereotypes made me question Le Caraval's purpose. Check out the slideshow below. I'm sure you'll enjoy some pictures, and hate others, as I did.
The full name for Le Carnaval is "Carnaval de Roi des 5 Continents," which translates to "Carnival King of 5 Continents." Here are a few pictures I found particularly disturbing. (Descriptions will pop up as you hoover over the photo).
Children flooded the streets of Le Carnaval; sadly, these cynical images may be their first perceptions of different cultures. The burning question in my head remains: Is the purpose of this carnival to equally represent countries amusingly, or to imbed distasteful stereotypes in children's minds?
Silly string and confetti made the event worthwhile, but I hope parents will educate their children about the history behind the caricatures, and teach them to judge individuals of all nationalities by their actions; not by the images they witnessed at Le Carnaval.
Silly string and confetti made the event worthwhile, but I hope parents will educate their children about the history behind the caricatures, and teach them to judge individuals of all nationalities by their actions; not by the images they witnessed at Le Carnaval.