Moroccan-French Baker Considers Closing Shop Amid Persistent Racial Harassment

Spitting on his storefront, overturned trash cans, insults, contemptuous remarks... Mouhssine Zouine is a victim of everyday racism. "A woman came one day, I was sitting on the terrace with a neighbor and she said ’Just to tell you that I can’t stand Moroccans’," he recounts to Dauphiné Libéré. Although he is French of Moroccan origin, the former truck driver turned baker believes that his skin color, his religion (Muslim) and the sound of his name provoke senseless racist reactions in these people.

Since January, the attendance at his business has dropped significantly. According to Mouhssine, this would be linked to a form of "boycott". Exasperated, he is considering closing his business, despite himself. "I invested my time, my money, I left my wife and children aside because I’m there from morning to night, I’d rather close than be pushed to the limit. [...] Even if "I don’t want to please those who don’t like us [...] It hurts, it affects me morally, because we can’t say or do anything..." the Drôme resident continues.

Mouhssine can still count on the support of his loyal customers and compassionate people on social media. They have advised him to file a complaint. He believes it would be a waste of time. "I’m willing to, but file a complaint against X, for what? X is the wind, I’m going to fight against who?" questions the Moroccan.