If you are a francophile, you’ve no doubt been following the stories since 2015 when the attack on the Charlie Hebdo headquarters resulted in many deaths because Islamic fundamentalists were offended by caricatures of Mohammad.
The tragedy has played out periodically and recently when two weeks ago outside of Paris, a middle-school teacher was decapitated by another Islamic extremist for having utilized these same caricatures in a class on freedom of expression.
This teacher did it with respect asking the Muslim students to leave if they wanted so they wouldn’t be offended. But word got out in the Muslim community and the extremists fanned the flames. Then last week in Nice, another young extremist decapitated two individuals praying in the cathedral in Nice.
President Macron has defended the teacher with “freedom of expression.”
As a non-citizen though with permanent residency status, I don’t feel I should be very vocal. This is not my country. I wasn’t raised here. And there are nuances in the culture which I am sure I have yet to comprehend.
On the other hand, one of the things that has always impressed me about the French is the “politesse” in society. People are well-mannered to one another and the “Bonjour” one gets from neighbors and passersby is characteristic, taught from a very early age. Respect for others is key in French society.
Since the French Revolution, France has removed all ties to religion keeping government completely independent. This has been called “laicité” and it makes sense. Only 8% of the French attend any church with regularity. But 10% of citizens are Muslim.
Despite my 15 years of Catholic education, I strongly believe my personal beliefs are mine and I have no right to impose them on others. So for me, laicité is healthy for a government.
I’m also a very liberal Catholic and an ecumenist and appreciate various religions. There are, as I was taught in high school, many paths. And we need to show respect for all of them – as long as they do no harm.
I therefore see a conflict. There is, on one hand, the politesse in society but then, on the other hand, a lack of respect for some because of their religion. Why were these caricatures necessary? They were not respectful. But maybe that is the point I am missing.
France colonized many parts of Africa and has its own dirty laundry, just like the US given slavery. There was a war in Algeria that still has some reeling. Many have immigrated from these African and largely Muslim nations no doubt hoping for better lives. But France admits it has done a poor job integrating these immigrants with education and employment opportunities. So there are hard feelings.
I don’t believe there are any easy answers. But I come from the perspective of trying to build bridges of understanding. At the same time, I fully agree with the French that anyone caring to live in this beautiful country needs to assimilate, not change it. In other words, France is never going to willingly become a Muslim nation. It is very proud of its heritage and culture. And women deserve and demand full respect. So there needs to be adaptation within the Muslim community. If not, perhaps they should reconsider their decision to live here.
Yet the conundrum is that the current state of affairs is a no-win. From October 30’s New York Times: Some politicians are using laïcité as a way to “ostracize all Muslims,” she said. “My concern is that, by doing this, a number of Muslims are being sent back into the arms of radicals.”
I am hoping that with the French Muslim Council, an intermediary group with the government, there will be dialogue and compromise. Radicalism in any form does damage. We’re seeing that in the US with the fundamentalist Christians. Otherwise, I fear for the future and increased violence.
Well said. I’m in total agreement with you, both having lived in France and now living back in the US.
This is a tragic situation being mirrored all over the world. I don’t think there is an easy answer. In the US we have certainly mucked it up–I hope France can do better.
It’s a breath of fresh air to read your reasoned opinions, Tom. Such a complex can of worms. America hasn’t begun to dig deep enough on its history of racism. Maybe we are inching closer with this historic election today.