Racism, Islamophobia still persist in France, Irish author says Podcast by Byline Times

Irish journalist and writer Enda O’Doherty said that anti-Semitism, racism and Islamophobia remain enduring features of public life in France, with roots stretching back to the late 19th century, speaking with Byline Times podcast’s host Adrian Goldberg, where he presented his book “The Dark Side Of France.”

According to O’Doherty, far-right ideas in France have a long history and have taken many different forms over the years. Whilst in the late 19th and early 20th centuries their supporters advocated the restoration of the monarchy, today the unifying element remains the slogan “La France aux Français” (France for the French), which, in his view, largely reflects the position of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party," Caliber.Az cites the article. 

This definition of “Frenchness”, he says, is based on being white and Christian, with a Roman cultural heritage: “Anyone who didn’t fit with that – the Jews in the 19th century and throughout the 20th century until 1940; and since the 1970s and 80s, the immigrant community from North Africa who are chiefly Muslim in religion – these are both seen as extraneous elements who don’t really belong.” This othering extended to Italians who came to settle in the South East of the country, Poles who worked the coal mines of the North East, and the Spanish who fled the civil war of the 30s.

O’Doherty argues that while modern French may look integrated - with substantial numbers of non-white citizens in evidence on the streets of Paris and other major cities - “many of them, in fact, don’t feel that they’re accepted as fully French. They even use the term ‘the French’ to refer to other people.” This, he says, is particularly true amongst Muslims, whose traditional modes of dress, including the hijab and abaya, have been restricted in schools.

“There is great variety. People can’t all be tarred with the same brush,” he said. 

For decades after 1945, referencing the Vichy regime’s collaboration with the Nazis during World War 2 was taboo, helping restrict the spread of far-right sentiment, but the movement gained fresh energy under Jean-Marie Le Pen and then under his daughter Marine.

O’Doherty says that if she wins, “I think it won’t be good for minorities in France.” According to him, the party’s proposals regarding the repatriation of migrants and cuts to social benefits could heighten social tensions and provoke protests.

At the same time, the writer emphasised that there have also been strong democratic traditions in French history. As examples, he cited former Prime Minister Léon Blum and President Charles de Gaulle, who, in his view, succeeded in countering the influence of the far right. O’Doherty hopes that these traditions will continue to prevail in the future.

By Sabina Mammadli