Mélissa Lavergne had been appointed as spokesperson for the 36th Festival international Nuits d’Afrique, but this appointment sparked a lively controversy. The percussionist finally decided to give up her place on Friday.
The appointment of a white spokesperson, who is not of African descent, has led to a wave of criticism since its announcement on social media on Wednesday. Mélissa Lavergne is a multipercussionist who studied Latin and African percussion, according to her biography available on her website.
On the social network Instagram, a hundred Internet users have unanimously denounced the fact that it is not a person from the black community and of African origin who occupies this position of spokesperson. The post was deleted on Friday morning.
It is important to specify that this announcement was made on World Day for Africa.
Here are some examples of comments below the post:
“As always, black people are welcome to perform and dance, but never to be the main spokesperson/face of a festival, this is absolutely shameful”
“Who sat at the table and approved of this decision? With all the wealth of the African Diaspora in QC. Not counting the team behind Ms. Lavergne, zero, you should have refused this mandate.
“How many more times will you have to have the conversation? At no point in the chain of people who made the decision did someone stand up to speak up and say no, it’s not legit.”
The lawyer and social entrepreneur Fabrice Vil also denounced the situation on his platform on Wednesday: “Is it the first of April where? No, it was announced two years to the day after the death of George Floyd. I can’t,” he comments.
Mélissa Lavergne announced her desire to retire on Friday morning at “La Presse”. For its part, the festival’s communication agency, tök communications, did not want to confirm the information. “We can’t decide yet,” said public relations officer Rosalie Pelletier.
A lack of transparency
The president of the Quebec Black League, Max Stanley Bazin, deplores the lack of transparency in the selection process. It is difficult for the public to approve such a choice without knowing the context, explains Mr. Bazin. “It necessarily leaves a bitter taste,” he added.
Not knowing the selection process, the latter does not know if the African and Caribbean communities were considered to occupy the position of spokesperson. The president also says he has absolutely nothing against Ms. Lavergne.
“We should have people who represent these communities. This is the base, the minimum”, he underlined.
