Uprising Of The Downtrodden

France; Failure With Distinction

Uprising Of The Downtrodden

The eruption of violence in France has caught the eyes of the world for several reason.

France is the cradle of the French revolution, which inspired tens of revolutions and thousands of revolutionaries. It had an immense influence on them. A thing the American revolution failed to do.

The ideas of the French of revolution is so present in the hearts and minds of the people of the world. Fraternity, equality, and rights of the masses are-to name a few- the production of French writers who paved the way for the French revolution.

France and its leadership, has gained a lot in the Arabic World among the average people, since they objected the American liberation of Iraq from the tyranny of Sadam “this was the outcome of benefits France and French politicians received from Sadam, from a looking to the list of beneficiary from the oil for food coupons, not out of principles since France participated in nullifying the Algerian election in 1991, sending their troops to Mecca to suppers a rebel by Juhaiman Alotaibi against the royal family in Saudi Arabia, plus many unethical activities elsewhere in the world”.
The BBC has noticed that the French president Jack Chiraq is so popular in many Arab countries such as Algeria, where he received a popular reception similar to that of heroes, during his last visit to Algeria.

The French media has criticized the policy of the United States in side the US as well as out side it. In side the US they criticized the US for not doing enough to help the poor and the black people of New Orleans aftermath of Catrina hurricane. Out side the US, they criticized the US for attacking terrorists in west of Iraq. The French media and the German as well, have always called the terrorists activities in Iraq resistance, although it was directed against the Iraqi people more than against the American army. It is noteworthy that, the then Foreign Affairs ministerDe Villpan, now prime minister, has volunteered to defend Sadam, because he wanted to be sure that justice will prevail, and is functioning .

The other side of France only few knew about it. It is different from the beautiful fashion houses, or perfumes they are famous for;

Those who have been to France and noticed the stunning, and shocking discrepancy between one suburb and the other. Where neighborhood with tennis courts, soccer courts, sit near to a neighborhood with nothing. Members of the poor neighborhood go to the rich neighborhood to play soccer or tennis. Neighborhood for the French and others for the immigrants. It is noteworthy that some of these immigrants are third generation immigrants. Some there grandfathers served in the French army such as the case of one of the teenagers who was electrocuted while running from the police.

Those who had the opportunity to meet members of the these dispossessed, disadvantaged groups. As what happened to me, during my visit to LA in 2001 where I had the chance to meet three French men, two from North Africa and one from Mali, all are born in France. They conveyed to me how they have no opportunities in France. Only menial jobs are available for them. Now after the joining of poor East European countries such as Poland or Czech I doubt they will find these menial jobs available. According to the Toronto Star the rate of unemployment among university graduates from African backgrounds is almost 26%.

Damage Of Image
The French prime minister De Villpan realized the damage of image France suffered from, so he called it the moment of truth, to take an action and do something to bridge the gap between the ideas the French public relation machine propagate for, and the miserable big layer of the French nation lives under.
If he was asking for justice to Sadam, and his right to defend himself. Why he does not be sure that the right of these angry youth for an honest decent human like life is guaranteed.
They were promised if they became French everything will come to them. When they became French they found nothing other than poverty, segregation and despondency.

Maan Alasadi
maanalasadi@yahoo.com