To the editor:

Re: Paris on Foot: 36 Miles, 6 Days and One Blistered Toe by David McAninch.

I see your writer feels special for dismissing the elite sites of central Paris in order to advocate for the underappreciated Parisian suburbs. I’m here to inform him that writing a travel article does not align him with the marginalized immigrant communities of his destination.

McAninch takes the trouble to meet with activists who advocate for the Parisian suburbs. He gets their advice on where to go and falls in love with their suggestions. He seems to think this makes him one of them. It doesn’t. Drooling over the ravishing architecture does not in fact address the needs of the poor communities in certain areas of la banlieue, which are composed mostly of immigrants often maligned by the news media as criminals. By leaving these issues unaddressed—issues that are at the heart of why tourists do not visit the periphery in the first place—he minimizes their weight and disguises deep prejudice as mere ignorance. In doing so, he hides the social unrest and tension between the elite of Paris and the marginalized suburbanites. And hiding that only allows it to fester.

In a word, he’s unintentionally supporting the exact people those activists are fighting against. He doesn’t put what they preach into practice or make any advancement for the communities. He merely treats la banlieue superficially: slumming so he can enjoy their wine and call himself their hero, but not doing anything heroic.

I think a main problem is his audience. The activists he mentions write in French, and they seem to attract a French audience—which may very well influence the suburban-central Paris relations. But McAninch is writing for the relatively elite audience of the New York Times. To these elites, who mostly do not live in France, the suburbs will become a bucket list destination that will make them feel more cultured or woke for finding the “real” Paris. Brushing up these educated egos will not bring the justice that’s needed.

I recognize your effort, Mr. McAninch. I’m just worried you’re hurting more people than you’re helping.