Racism is a topic which has influenced world history in immeasurable ways. From apartheid in South Africa to the 2005 Cronulla riots, race and racism affects us all, so it is with little wonder that many have questioned in hindsight, the actions and policies of countries globally. This essay seeks to prove that France is a racist country, in relation to its colonial and postcolonial history. In proving that France is a racist nation, this essay will utilise the colonial case studies of slavery in the French Caribbean, and attitudes towards French colonial troops in WWI. Furthermore, remnants of France's racist attitudes will be evidenced post-colonial governmental policies, with their affects ultimately leading to the 2005 race riots in Paris.
In order to better understand the topic at hand, of French racism in colonial and post-colonial history, we must first define both concepts. Oxford Dictionaries defines colonialism as “the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically” (2012 Para. 1). French colonialism began in the 16th century in the Americas, and concluded in the late 1960's (Rosensweig 2012). Inevitably stemming from colonialism, post colonialism examines the psychological, socio-economic and political aftermath of colonial rule, and how new societies deal with incorporating ‘Western' ideas (Rosensweig 2012).
[...] Hagopian, J. (2011). "Shock-doctrine schooling in Haiti." Retrieved 3/11/12, from http://socialistworker.org/2011/09/08/shock-doctrine- schooling. Hooks, B. (1995). Killing Rage: Ending Racism. New York, Henry Holt and Company. Lamont, M. (2002). "Particular universalisms: North African immigrants respond to French racism." Ethnic and Racial Studies 390 - 414. Lunn, J. (1999). "'Les Races Guerrières': Racial Preconception in the French Military about West African Soldiers during the First World War." Journal of Contemporary History 517 - 536. [...]
[...] Fiscally draining, France granted independence to Morocco and Tunisia in 1956. However, it was with the harsh reality of war that saw Algeria gain governmental separation from its' colonial masters (Tarwater 2005). Post Algeria's War of Independence; there was an influx of Maghrebians in France searching for work, with current approximations estimating more than 4 million immigrants from Maghreb constituting of the total population (Tarwater 2005). Tarwater adds that for ‘native' Frenchmen and women, the influx of immigrants from North Africa presents a perceived threat to the French national culture, adding that “Many French people resent the strong immigrant presence of the Maghreb people” (2005 Para. [...]
[...] "Definition of Postcolonialism." Retrieved 8/11/12, from http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/colonialism. Plans, A. (2012). "Free People of Color & Le Code Noir." Retrieved 3/11/12, from http://www.frenchcreoles.com/Louisiana%20Black%20Codes/louisiana%20black%20c odes.htm. Rosensweig, D. (2012). "Definition of Postcolonialism." Retrieved 8/11/12, from http://www.chegg.com/homework-help/definitions/postcolonialism-51. Sahlins, P. (2006). "Civil Unrest in the French Suburbs, November 2005." Retrieved 10/11/12, from http://riotsfrance.ssrc.org/. Schneider, C. L. (2008). [...]
[...] This essay seeks to prove that France is a racist country, in relation to its colonial and postcolonial history. In proving that France is a racist nation, this essay will utilise the colonial case studies of slavery in the French Caribbean, and attitudes towards French colonial troops in WWI. Furthermore, remnants of France's racist attitudes will be evidenced post-colonial governmental policies, with their affects ultimately leading to the 2005 race riots in Paris. In order to better understand the topic at hand, of French racism in colonial and post-colonial history, we must first define both concepts. [...]
[...] Indeed, this sense of despair emanated from the upper echelons of the military hierarchy, stemming from the attitudes of those in charge in regards to their colonial subjects. The commanding officer in charge of African colonial subjects, Charles Mangin, based his argument of incorporating French colonial subjects from Africa on a series of notions that were themselves founded on commonly held views of the time. Mangin noted that it was the African's ‘primitive' nature which supported their warrior instincts, they had . [...]
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