I haven’t yet commented on the horrible situation in France, though, privately, I’ve noted the lack of contextual perspective (that is, a lack of understanding of French history and politics) in much of the right-wing reaction to the riots — as if the right, succumbing to the moral ease of enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend gymnastics, is somehow relishing this apparent attack on the French state. Many on the right (but certainly not all, let me be clear about that) seem to see this as justifiable comeuppance, and, to borrow a term from France’s long-time enemy to the east, it’s Schadenfreude all the way.
In other words: The French are snotty, anti-American elitists who think they’re better than everyone else. Plus, they supported Saddam and opposed the U.S. invasion of Iraq. At every turn, they seek to block American interests. If this were happening in the U.S., if American cities were burning, the French would cheer on the rioters or at least blame America’s racial politics and economic barbarism for the oppression of entire classes of people.
So the French deserve it. Period.
Not that we should expect much in the way of disinterestedness from the partisan right. Not that we should expect them to understand what’s really going on and what really sent those young people out into the streets.
For what’s going on in France is complicated. Multiple triggers have sent alienated and in some cases highly politicized youth into the streets. (After all, The Battle of Algiers, which marked the beginning of the end of the French occupation of Algeria, didn’t happen all that long ago.)
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My fellow co-blogger Jack Grant has written some outstanding posts on this story, and I encourage you to read them. Living in France, he knows a thing or two about what’s going around him, but he also brings in nuanced analysis and a real appreciation for context.
Should you be interested in some further reading, I delve into the context of nationalism and French self-identity over at The Reaction. Plus, I address the large-scale causes of the rioting and suggest a different perspective on their size and significance.