Thabo Sefolosha, who plays basketball for the Atlanta Hawks, knows what is to suffer from the preconceptions of people in authority.

Last April, a New York City police officer broke Sefolsha’s leg. He missed the playoffs, as a result. He’s only recently returned to action. Earlier this fall, Sefolosha was acquitted of the misdemeanor charges that had been brought against him, the most serious of which was resisting arrest. He has filed a civil suit against the police.

Thabo Sefolosha also knows something about life in France. He grew up in Switzerland, near the border between the two nations. Before coming to the NBA, he spent three seasons with a team in Burgundy. He said recently that he’s concerned that last Friday’s attacks in Paris may turn people against Muslims in general. As Sefolosha told CLNS Radio's Jared Weiss recently, “I think some of the political restrictions and laws in place push people to feel like they’re outcasts.”

Of course that’s not a circumstance which tourists visiting Paris are likely to face. I was in the city for a little over a week a few months ago. I encountered courteous people, life-affirming works of art and very good food.