Camus was familiar with the institutional racism of France against Arabs and Berbers, but he was not part of a rich elite. He lived in very poor conditions as a child but was a citizen of France and as such was entitled to citizens' rights; members of the country's Arab and Berber majority were not. Camus was a vocal advocate of the "new Mediterranean Culture". This was his vision of embracing the multi-ethnicity of the Algerian people, in opposition to "Latiny", a popular pro-fascist and antisemitic ideology among other Pieds-Noirs—or French or Europeans born in Algeria. For Camus, this vision encapsulated the Hellenic humanism which survived among ordinary people around the Mediterranean Sea. His 1938 address on "The New Mediterranean Culture" represents Camus's most systematic statement of his views at this time. Camus also supported the Blum–Viollette proposal to grant Algerians full French citizenship in a manifesto with arguments defending this assimilative proposal on radical egalitarian grounds. In 1939, Camus wrote a stinging series of articles for the Alger républicain on the atrocious living conditions of the inhabitants of the Kabylie highlands. He advocated for economic, educational and political reforms as a matter of emergency. In 1945, following the Sétif and Guelma massacre after Arab revolts against French mistreatment, Camus was one of only a few mainland journalists to visit the colony. He wrote a series of articles reporting on conditions, and advocating for French reforms and concessions to the demands of the Algerian people. When the Algerian War began in 1954, Camus was confronted with a moral dilemma. He identified with the Pieds-Noirs such as his own parents and defended the French government's actions against the revolt. He argued the Algerian uprising was an integral part of the "new Arab imperialism" led by Egypt, and an "anti-Western" offensive orchestrated by Russia to "encircle Europe" and "isolate the United States". Although favoring greater Algerian autonomy or even federation, though not full-scale independence, he believed the Pieds-Noirs and Arabs could co-exist. During the war, he advocated a civil truce that would spare the civilians. It was rejected by both sides who regarded it as foolish. Behind the scenes, he began working for imprisoned Algerians who faced the death penalty. His position drew much criticism from the left and later postcolonial literary critics, such as Edward Said, who were opposed to European imperialism, and charged that Camus's novels and short stories are
{
        'QUESTION: What did Camus believe regarding the "New Mediterranean Culture"?': 'ANSWER: Camus believed in embracing the multi-ethnicity of the Algerian people through his vision of the "New Mediterranean Culture," opposing "Latinity," a pro-fascist and anti-Semitic ideology.',
        'QUESTION: How did Camus view the relationship between the Pieds-Noirs and Arabs?': 'ANSWER: Camus believed that the Pieds-Noirs and Arabs could co-exist despite their differences.',
        'QUESTION: What was Camus\' stance during the Algerian War?': 'ANSWER: During the Algerian War, Camus favored greater Algerian autonomy or even federation, although not full-scale independence. He also called for a civil truce to protect civilians.',
        'QUESTION: What role did Camus play behind the scenes during the Algerian War?': 'ANSWER: Behind the scenes, Camus started working for imprisoned Algerians facing the death penalty.',
        'QUESTION: Who criticized Camus for his position during the Algerian War?': 'ANSWER: Critics included those on the left and later postcolonial literary critics, such as Edward Said, who were opposed to European imperialism.',
        'QUESTION: Why did Camus write a series of articles on the living conditions of the inhabitants of the Kabylie highlands?': 'ANSWER: Camus wanted to advocate for economic, educational, and political reforms as a matter of urgency due to the atrocious living conditions there.',
        'QUESTION: What was the Blum-Viollette proposal that Camus supported?': 'ANSWER: Camus supported the Blum-Viollette proposal to grant Algerians full French citizenship.',
        'QUESTION: What was the significance of Camus\' 1938 address on "The New Mediterranean Culture"?': 'ANSWER: This speech represented Camus\' most comprehensive articulation of his views at that time.',
        'QUESTION: How did Camus respond when he learned about the Sétif and Guelma massacres?': 'ANSWER: After learning about these events, Camus wrote a series of articles reporting on the situation and calling for French reforms and concessions to the demands of the Algerian people.',
        'QUESTION: Did Camus face any challenges because of his beliefs?': 'ANSWER: Yes, Camus faced significant criticism from various quarters, including those on the left and postcolonial literary critics.'
    }