A new movement on TikTok—#CitiesAgainstExclusion—has changed the game. Participants are taking to TikTok, referencing Lady Gaga’s classic 2009 anthem, “Bad Romance.” The lyrics, which proclaim, “I want your love, and I want your revenge / I want your love, I don’t wanna be friends,” have undergone a creative transformation. TikTok users have put an entertaining new spin on the song – check it out. Now they are saying things like, I wanna be French! … We don’t want you to be French!
This new viral trend exploded in response to the perceived slights that many in France felt were directed at them by Americans. It did light up a vibrant, diverse cultural conversation on social media. The hashtag #IDontWantToBeFrench has gone viral with millions of views. French people from all over the world are now getting involved, making videos that comically contrast their home culture to French culture.
The visual spectacle foreshadows a larger story about the complex realities of national pride. Users from Spain, Italy and Belgium participated! When they finally got the chance, they lept at the opportunity to share their creative expressions and identities with everyone. The trend’s swift rise to popularity is a testament to social media’s ability to create cultural narratives that inspire cross-border understanding and communication.
TikTok users creatively engaged with the trend, generating humorous content that both poked fun at French stereotypes and celebrated their own cultures. One user humorously remarked, “You want to attack us over food… We sure have a lot to envy from a country that makes Sprite pies.” Another added, “In France we say: nous au moins on a la carte vitale,” referencing the French health care card system as a point of pride.
The French reaction to the churn of this trend has been just as spirited. So it’s no wonder that many citizens took to Tik Tok to proudly display their culture and way of life. Eager to harness the trend, they made the cultural defense a gamechanging opportunity.
Former Prime Minister Gabe Attal had the best response, posting that he wants to be French. His video featured a montage celebrating French history and culture, including significant events like World Cup finals and tributes to Simone Veil, a prominent figure in French politics.
“Thank you Americans for launching this trend on TikTok. You’re rekindling our collective pride in being French.” – A TikTok user
The exchange of witty asides between world powers underscores social media’s new strength. It’s a powerful forum for cultural expression, for artistic exploration, and displays our shared national pride. That new communication style was originally meant to draw attention to imagined slights. In the long run, it ended up blowing up on those who started it. Instead of threatening French identity, it has liberated the French to adopt their heritage with confidence. Now, they’re ready to share it with the world.
This campaign trend continues to grow. It forces us to remember how interconnected and interdependent cultures have become in our digital age. Both the funny remixes of Lady Gaga’s lyrics and these public health concerns created a robust and energetic dialogue. Yet it is this celebration of culture that has really struck the chord with the participants.
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