I love how the (arguably) second most powerful imperialist power in world history can dare to blame a developing country for the disaster that they caused. The irony is insane.
juanito
Poor sexual education IS a serious problem in Africa. Nothing he said was racist or offensive, even taking it grossly out of context like you did.
MrNephthys
I see why she thinks what he said is offensive, but it isn't his fault if what he said is factual and some people take offense to it. I certainly don't think it was offensive, nor do I think he failed to call out those in power here. He said theres a problem with FAILED STATES. States meaning the governments have failed, meaning theyve failed their people too. As a result of failed states, poor transitions, etc you have poverty which leads to women having 7-8 children they can't support. Some countries in Africa are fine, but he is right that there is a pattern of these issues right now in several African countries. I think his statement was generally factual though the reality of the situation is sad and theres no clear answer on how to move forward other than to provide aid and education where we can. Btw not saying Macron is a great guy, not even saying hes not neoliberal because he is; just saying that i disagree with her analysis of his statement.
xxWayoftheSunxx
I agree with what the French prime minster said. Throwing money at a problem endlessly with nothing to show for it is pointless. But hey I'm logical.
Tainted
There are outside influences that result in failure of many African states, however it doesn't discount the fact that there are many issues within the countries in continental Africa, which are real stumbling blocks to growth. I suppose our monetary aid tied with varied interest to them is a very obscene way of helping them. We should be more in favor of grants or no interest loans, but be financially responsible and attach some criteria as to how to use the monetary aid.
assiduous
How is what he said offensive? How is having 8 kids a symptom of oppression? Don't have kids you cannot care for. Its not racist, it has nothing to do with them being African. No person of any race should have kids they know they cannot take care of.
And it is not another persons or another country's duty to take care of people who made those choices.
johnp
He's right. Obviously and completely right! There's a well established link between poverty and fertility rate.
Suppose you have 10.000€ you can leave that money to 1 or 2 kids, or you can divide it between 7-8 children. In which scenario are the kids more likely to be impoverished?
You're basically having an argument with math here. Even worse, you think you might win it...
NonDeUn
I think your analysis is too heavily driven by narrative. Africa was and is treated as "muh oppressed". But as the Chinese show us a better approach would be to see them as potential business partners with mutual benefits. But I guess Emmas solution to the African situation would be to see "racism" everywhere and "help" the oppressed therefore making them dependent on free goods we give them. Sorry, but I will not see victims everywhere.
chnty
FACT CHECK- Africa is the only continent where the population growth is accelerated by a birth rate which is double the worlds average. Every other continent has rising populations, but the rise is driven by life expectancy improvement, not birth rate, which in many cases around the world is at or below the population sustainability level of 2.2 Births per couple.
sirierieott
Before to judge Macron actions (not only point out only on some points), it's good to know what were Macron main engagements to Africa: Macron (and EU) went to Africa with the message of helping this continent to develop economically, offer help for the education of the young people (also their teacher), to help the creation of jobs, businesses and companies, to give scholarships for young to be able to study abroad, help to develop research and development, help to develop infrastructures (green energy, water, transport), help and train the joint Africa army against terrorist. Also Macron suggests equality between men and women (Girls don't have her own decision, African tradition is marrying girls at 13 years of age to raise children), suggest liberty and democracy for all the 59 African countries, suggest them to develop their culture (France will give to Africa African arts in French museum, films shooting their ancestors during colonial period). All this will be financed by the European Union and private funds, with the help of NGOs in the field who distribute directly to the population to create businesses, companies (funding not paid directly to the government to avoid corruption ), help judged on the development results. If Africa can develop with EU help, it will stop illegal immigration to Europe for economic reason, also stop the proliferation of Islamic terrorist and African slavery dealer in Libya.
MrHominh
Emma, speaking as a development economist, I have to ask you to please stop talking about things that you don't understand. Or at least get a professional to check these things before you start making videos. The Macron comment was not insulting and it was not really all that neoliberal. If you ask an African about the problems faced by sub-saharan African countries, they will say largely the exact same thing. Macron didn't blame them for anything either, he just stated the issues. The comment about children wasn't an assignment of blame, but a description of a demographic phenomenon that occurs as a part of a development transition that every country goes through. I'm not sure how well he understands that phenomenon, but I don't think he was blaming Africans for those issues. The only part of it that could be construed as neoliberal is when he implies that transitioning to a democracy is an important part of stabilizing and developing a country's economy, and that's not even a uniquely neoliberal belief.
The Clinton comment, on the other hand, was quite gross. It's not fair to compare them. The Clinton comment blames the lack of intra-African trade on the trade barriers of African countries, ignoring the fact that the way in which the developed world interacts with those countries through trade makes them less likely to pursue trade with other African countries. The claim she's making is that the countries should drop all trade barriers, which is one of the core principles of neoliberalism. She ignored the fact that this would cripple their governments and would only benefit multinationals. The gross part is that, in a way, she's right. She's right because the developed countries of the world have made sure that there is no other choice. We force them to choose between being stuck as a poor developing country or to become slaves of multinational corporations and maybe still be stuck as a poor developing country anyway.
Pinkerton
Emma, I agree with the critique of Hillary's quote here. But that is because she is wrong. She thinks - like with the US - that free trade will solve problems and not create more. There are often real downsides to free trade. On the other hand, Macron is *right* in his advice: Limiting the number of childs per woman to a sustainable level is rather essential for anything approaching success and tolerable standards of living in those countries. Whether or not you find the comments rude for historical reason, it is still the truth. Is it more caring to politely lie to people?
GhostlyJorg
Do most of the people in this comment section actually understand why African countries have such high fertility rates? If you're living a poor country, you're going to need a lot of kids in order to use them for labor. Most African countries are largely agricultural societies and families need a lot of children in order to help them in the fields. Plus, life expectancy is very low in Africa so most families have a lot of children so that there's a good chance a few of them will make it into adulthood. In first world countries like France, having a lot of children is unnecessary and an economic burden to put it bluntly. That's why fertility rates are low in America and Europe. Maybe if countries like France actually focused on real economic development in Africa, the fertility rate would go down and you wouldn't have a problem with overpopulation.
pwnedlikeanub
Glad to see you doing more vids Emma)) Keep up the good work.
ScienceTalkwithJimMassa
I'm a progressive and live in the socialistic Denmark, but this video seriously doesn't help our course. Claiming racism based on the shown statement from Macron is an over reach and undercuts the term racist (the boy that cried wolf). Please reserve such assertions to when it's true. Also, why is it wrong to state that having too many children affects the socio-economic mobility for the family? It's a fact that it does...
christiangarde
What Neoliberals forget that to be a consumer, one needs to be a wage earner to actually buy stuff. Credit/loans are not real money.
vgernyc
He is right in my opinion.
Africa and the Middle East produces and exports one thing: Population.
The fact that the US in isolated between the Pacific and Atlantic, shields you from this.
jensespersen
If you have a child as a teenager, you'll have to put resources into that child as opposed to investing in yourself and your career. As a result, you'll find yourself stuck in a cycle of poverty whereby you work just to get by as opposed to ahead. This applies likewise to the national level. This is common sense. It shouldn't be difficult to grasp. I suppose if you weren't obsessed with your appearance.
byronhotchkiss
Looks like ppl are missing Emma's point.
Macron shouldn't make such a comment without acknowledging his privilege that has been laid down by policy of his ancestors ravaging the African continent that then has paved the way for him to make such a questionable remark.
TCt
if you find that offensive you must have to wear kneepads and a helmet when you go outside your house. is basic communication now out of the question? did pointing out an equation you are irrelevant to really have any effect on you at all? choose to overlook things, you are searching for battles.
