The Ugly Head of Racism Rears Itself in France

by

Carla Haces

France, a country famed for its sophistication, is now under the microscope as attacks on immigrants founded in racist mentality increase. When Gay J. McDougall, the Independent Expert on Minority Issues for the UN, visited France in late September, she claimed:

“Young people’s hopes and dreams are being denied; they see no possibility of upward mobility because of their skin colour, their religion, their surname, or their address.”

Racism is becoming an ever-growing problem in France. While the promise of equality has been guaranteed, Ms. McDougall was shocked by the lack of concern shown by French political leaders and candidates during the latest French election.

Ms. McDougall encouraged the authorities to make efforts to accept the diversity that is part of the country’s make-up. She noted that the action of becoming a French citizen is not enough for acceptance. Native French people need to lay aside the idea that one can only be French by having the appropriate ancestors, by having the correct religion, and by conforming to accepted customs.