The election of Barack Obama brought to the forefront the issue of race in other countries of the world. As far as I can tell from what I read online, Obama’s election has sparked a discussion among minorities in Europe about their representation in the politics in their countries, and a new desire to fight for their human rights. At the same time, this issue seems to play out in different ways in each European country. In France, particularly, it is against the law to have any kind of census of one’s religion or ethnic origin. This principle makes it hard to talk about the issues of race and religion because there is not hard data, no official statistics (see this interesting in-depth article on race policy in France, or this one: An Obama for France?). The reason is that the French society was founded on the basis of egalitarianism and does not officially recognize ethno racial groups. Since all people are equal, race should not matter. But this does not mean that the minorities are not discriminated against. You might remember an earlier post in this blog regarding French minority graduates who choose to look for jobs in England because they do not feel they have equal rights in France to get a job corresponding to their qualifications. If you belong to a minority group in France, the moment you present your photo, your chances of getting a job may be reduced, or that apartment you wanted to rent may become unavailable. However, it is difficult to support such claims, or develop a policy to address the problem, because no statistics are available. There are no statistics on the difficulties minority populations face on the job market and on the political arena. Some people think that not recognizing minorities as such leads to minimizing the issue. However, others see it in a different light, namely that refusal to recognize the issue actually exacerbates it.
I recently heard a professor from Paris claim that some French will get upset if the US president’s race is pointed out, because race is in a way a taboo topic. This remark may be viewed as racist. At the same time it is not an issue for minorities to discuss the race issue. They find themselves in similar situations and share with one another how they got that job or rented that apartment.
The greatest majority of immigrants in France are Muslim. There has been more discussion about religion rather than race in France when discussing immigration issues. Now the word race seems to resurface.
Interestingly, the expression for affirmative action in French is “la discrimination positive”. This phrase has been present in French politics for about two decades, but has received more attention in recent years. Some people are not particularly fond of the expression, but the principle is being promoted actively by the French President (see this video where Nicolas Sarkozy defends this principle).
March 12th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
This issue has the potential to mark a major change in French politics as the recognition of minorities is becoming harder and harder to ignore (despite the underpinning value of egalitarianism). The fact is, racism does exist in Europe (and obviously, therefore, in France) and is moving to the forefront as the European Union removes barriers not only for goods but for people.
In fact, fear of the growing Muslim population contributed to the fierce opposition France posed during negotiations of Turkey’s acceptance into the EU. However, President Sarkozy’s convenient omission of this argument during Commission sessions illustrates the “taboo” label race has received.
While the egalitarian principle runs strong in French nationalism, that nationalism is highly threatened when the homogeneity of the French ethnicity is “compromised” for lack of a better word. In some ways, President Obama’s election can be seen as a challenge as the French have always prided themselves as being more accepting than Americans (in terms of a functional and substantial socialist party, and lack of emphasis on private affairs of officials, etc.)
March 18th, 2009 at 11:56 am
The issue of race has been a problem in the United States for years. THis election has caused a lot of racial tension within our own country and it seems that it has in other countries as well. In France, the issue of race is also present. The representation of minorites seems to be ignored, causing frustration and looking elsewhere for equality and respect. While many french minorities are looking to other locations such as England for jobs and living styles because they are unalbe to obtain them in France, the United States deals with the same issue of frustraation. OUr country prides itself on being the land of the free yet we can’t seem to provide equal freedom to oru own people. THer issue of race with the election of Barack Obama has caused racial tension in the U.S. and France and shwos that race in a common theme and the struggle for acceptance.
March 25th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Articles like this always interest me. The issue of race is an issue basically anywhere you go, whether it’s an out in the open discrimination, or rather behind the curtains. The idea that the French have of not discussing race is a good one in theory. It seems like a good idea to not have race and ethnicity as something that determines other things, but it only works if people aren’t racist or don’t discriminate against others. In the world today, it’s evident that we aren’t to the point that would allow us ignore race and ethnicity in everyday life.
March 30th, 2009 at 2:47 am
Discrimination and race are issues all around the world. With this part of the article I don´agree : “The reason is that the French society was founded on the basis of egalitarianism and does not officially recognize ethno racial groups. Since all people are equal, race should not matter.”.
Since in France is well know the islamic scarf controversy. The controversy over islamic women´s clothing has been around France since the mid-1990s, specially when it comes about wearing the scarfs in public schools.
This debates bring up some questions: the place reserve for muslim women, stric secularity in state institution, the frequent confusion of the terms Arab, Muslim, Maghrebin in France.
April 28th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Discrimination in some form or another, whether it be race or ethnicity, is one of those topics that just because you don’t always see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. I think by not taking a census and gathering the statistics of race and ethnicity in France it becomes easier to cover up the apparent and harmful effects of discrimination to the general public. If the depth of this issue isn’t apparent and proven to the general public then individuals will not feel responsible and will turn a blind eye to the issue. It is hard enough to bring about social change, but just because the laws try to prevent this social injustice, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t more work to be done.
April 29th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
To me one of the most surprising aspects of the information presented here was that race just isn’t discussed in France. The idea that there is no census or statistical information on race in France seems so counterproductive to the egalitarian ideal. In the US, we still have limited dialogue about race relations and disparities, but still, and maybe it’s the issue of slavery in our past and how we’ve treated immigrants that makes dialogue more prevalent. There are obvious grievances and differential treatment when discussing certain races and although they have not been solved, they are far from just not being included in public discourse for fear of being “taboo”. What’s taboo is to not address obvious injustices and unsubstantiated preferential treatment within a democracy that advocates human rights.
April 30th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Ignoring an issue doesn’t make it go away. Ignoring the issue of race in France didn’t make it go away and has, if anything, made it a tougher topic to discuss. Ignoring it has made it a taboo topic and because people aren’t accustomed to discussing it, they feel uncomfortable and don’t want to do anything to reverse it’s obviously negative effects. In my personal opinion, I think it is always best to be direct and come out and deal with an issue as opposed to dancing around the subject.
Diversification is happening in France and will continue to happen as the world becomes more globalized. As the level of diversity expands, minorities will begin to play a more prominent role in French politics and society and the French will have to get comfortable with this idea of racial and ethnic differences, as well as religious differences.
April 30th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
The idea of racism in France we never something I though of until I started talking to Adrien about French culture and reading what little there was about it in French newspapers. Upon reading this article however makes it seem that France needs more help then then the world thinks when it comes to discussing race and the unjust treatment of minorities in their country. I believe that all people should have equal rights within a state regardless of their race or gender. I know that this is a tall order and many industrialized nations are still working on it, but not addressing the situation is causing France to lag behind it trying to fix the problem. The people, especially minorities need to get their voices heard more and in large numbers so that the government can do something to help their situation.
May 1st, 2009 at 1:08 am
France really needs to address this unfair treatment of minorities in the country. Julien, my language partner, told my class about the ‘ghetto’ where many Arab and African Immigrants reside. We have seen in the news before where riots and strikes have occurred due to offensive comics and jokes in France. France has long been progressive in the human social rights arena, but this is a huge exception. Racism, especially in today’s society, should not be occurring. If France wants to keep up with the diverse world we live in, they must tweak how they are treating their citizens of all ethnic and racial backgrounds.
May 1st, 2009 at 9:07 am
Since France’s ideals of egalitarianism harken back to the French Revolution, when citizens were so hell-bent on giving everyone equal opportunities, it is surprising that such important issues as racial/ethnic and religious discrimination are being ignored. As an American, I am used to filling out surveys about my heritage and beliefs, and I am used to hearing about these issues in the media, classroom, etc. While at times these discussions can be challenging or uncomfortable, I believe talking about problems and raising awareness are the only ways to bring about necessary change. By completely ignoring the obvious problem of discrimination and even going so far as to ban the collection of ethno-religion information, the French are just exacerbating the issue and making it more difficult for minorities to achieve equal rights. Without hard data, it will be very hard for minorities to argue for social justice. Discrimination is an issue everywhere, and one the everyone, France included, will have to address at some point. I think affirmative action my be a good starting point.