11-16-05,11:24am
The eruption of violence in France has caught the eyes of the world for several reasons. 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 still 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 the French revolution.
France has gained a lot in the Arabic world among average people, since they objected the American liberation of Iraq from the tyranny of Sadaam. This was a result of benefits French politicians received from Sadaam, looking at the list of beneficiaries of the oil-for-food coupons.
It was not out of principle since France participated in nullifying the Algerian election in 1991, sending their troops to Mecca to support a rebellion by Juhaiman Alotaibi against the royal family in Saudi Arabia, plus many unethical activities elsewhere in the world.
The French media has criticized the policy of the United States both inside as well as outside it. Inside, they criticized the US for not doing enough to help the poor and Black people of New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina. Outside, they criticized the US for attacking terrorists in west of Iraq.
The French media and the German as well, have always called the terrorist activities in Iraq resistance, although it was directed against the Iraqi people more than against the American army.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 notice the stunning, and shocking discrepancy between one suburb and another. Neighborhoods with tennis courts, soccer courts, sit near neighborhoods with nothing. Members of the poor neighborhood go to the rich neighborhood to play soccer or tennis. One neighborhood is for the French and others are for immigrants.
It is noteworthy that some of these immigrants are third generation. Some their grandfathers served in the French army such as the case of one of the teenagers who was electrocuted.
According to the Toronto Star the rate of unemployment among university graduates from African backgrounds is almost 26 percent.
The French prime minister De Villpan realized the damage to the image France. He called it “a moment of truth,” to take an action and do something to bridge the gap between the ideas the French public relation machine and the misery a large layer of the French nation lives under.
Why he does not insure 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
