France Repeals Historic Black Code

France is finally scrapping the infamous 1685 Code Noir — a colonial law that treated enslaved people as property and endured for nearly 200 years after slavery ended — in a symbolic but deeply meaningful move. President Macron called its persistence an “offense,” acknowledging France’s long silence. While the law lost legal force in 1848, its legacy haunted descendants of enslaved Africans, especially in overseas territories like Guadeloupe, where lawmakers like Max Mathiasin see repeal as a step toward restoring dignity and honoring France’s own ideals. Yet experts caution that repealing the law won’t fix systemic racism or the ongoing “colonial exception” that continues to fuel inequality in places like Martinique. It’s a powerful gesture — but whether it sparks real change remains to be seen. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/2eb402f8ff7a0797