Cultured Views

Some interesting viewpoints are being expressed on the Reuters website at the moment concerning the riots in Paris.  One blogger in particular, Tom Heneghan, has been answering one common question from readers in his post: “Why we don’t call them ‘Muslim riots’ in Paris suburbs“.

The fact that the youths involved in the recent riots were identified as being Muslim does not mean that the riots themselves were the result of religious persecution – or have been organised to promote a Muslim cause. Therefore in fact these riots are not ‘Muslim’ based and not Muslim in nature.

While I do not condone the violence recently perpetrated, especially the attacks on the police, it is clear that what is emerging from these situations is considerable unrest and disquiet in the communities these youths come from. These communities are disadvantaged socially, economically and the issue has been simmering for years now. 

In this years election the French people voted in overwhelming numbers in favour of Le Pen and his xenophobic National Front Party; in some areas they voted in the majority for a man who is insistent on reintroducing policies not too far removed from those of the Nazi’s during the Occupation here in WWII. The fact that a supposedly ‘forward thinking’ people such as the French can share his ideas only sends a message out to those communities from which those rioting youths come. A message of keeping certain groups isolated and ‘in their place’.

And that message is being received loud and clear around France.

Related posts:

1. Coming to France?…don’t miss Paris.
2. Bed and Breakfast in Paris