I don’t necessarily agree with the ol’ saying that there’ s nothing new under the sun, but I will admit history has a great tendency to repeat itself — tyrants will rise up and oppress again and again, hero after hero will stand forth and face adversity, and a spineless one can always be found presenting meekness as leadership.
Jacques Chirac acknowledged last night that France’s 18 nights of urban violence had revealed a “profound malaise” in society and launched an appeal to combat the “poison” of racial discrimination.
In his first formal address to the nation since the unrest started on October 27, the French president said the problem had to be tackled firmly but justly. “Those who attack … must know that in a republic, one cannot break the law without being caught, judged and punished,” he said.
Mr Chirac said the rioting reflected a “crisis of … identity”, but added that “we can accomplish nothing if we do not respect the rules”. Parental authority was critical, and parents who did not “accept their responsibilities” would be punished. The president confirmed that the government would today put a bill before parliament recommending that the state of emergency be extended for three months until mid-February if necessary.
Everyone should have the chance to share in the benefits of French society, Mr Chirac said, but “discrimination saps the foundations of the republic”. The French media and political class must “better reflect the reality of French society today”, he insisted. At present, the ethnic minority faces on French television can be counted on the fingers of one hand and mainland France has not a single MP of north African or black African origin.
Companies and trades unions must actively encourage diversity and support employment for immigrant youths from depressed suburbs, he said. He also announced the formation of a national volunteer corps that would offer training for 50,000 youths by 2007 and help them to get jobs. “Everyone must commit themselves, companies too – how many applications end up in the bin because of the applicant’s name or address?” he asked. But he ruled out positive discrimination or quotas, saying the country must remain true to its republican values.
Jacques presents little, pointing a finger more at French society than at the Islamic radicals refusing to assimilate into that same society. Ah, Jacques, more than two weeks after the levees figuratively gave way and your country found itself awash with flame and violence, you come sallying forth with wooden sword and stage-prop shield.
Where have heard such words before, why do they sound so familiar? Ah yes, the echoes of inept, defeatist history.