Green Energy
But there's one taboo issue that officially colorblind France has been unable to confront: race.
The violence, like riots that spread nationwide for three weeks in exposed how parts of France have divided along color lines, with blacks and Arabs trapped in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods—like Villiers-le-Bel, in the northern suburbs of Paris, where gangs attacked police and burned cars and buildings this week.
Few residents condone the violence and many condemn it—but no one seems surprised that it broke out.
"Everyone is equal. That is what is written. But behind that is something else," said Hassan Ben M'Barek, spokesman for Suburbs Respect, a group that lobbies for those who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
In some such areas of the Paris region, "there are no white French people left in the streets. You can drive around for two or three hours and all you will see are North Africans and blacks. And these are neighborhoods with enormous problems," he added.
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Green Energy
AP: Riots Point To A Racially Divided France
Do the French riots point to a racially divided France, or a culturally divided France?
Read it and tell me what you think:
VILLIERS-LE-BEL, France (AP) - French officials point to a host of causes—poverty, unemployment, the influence of criminal gangs—for riots that erupted this week.
But there's one taboo issue that officially colorblind France has been unable to confront: race.
The violence, like riots that spread nationwide for three weeks in exposed how parts of France have divided along color lines, with blacks and Arabs trapped in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods—like Villiers-le-Bel, in the northern suburbs of Paris, where gangs attacked police and burned cars and buildings this week.
The rioters are a tiny minority but sullen anger is palpable in Villiers-le-Bel. Black youths complain that police stop and search them because of their color. They speak of exclusion, of not getting a fair shake, of being treated like foreigners in their own country.
Few residents condone the violence and many condemn it—but no one seems surprised that it broke out.
"Everyone is equal. That is what is written. But behind that is something else," said Hassan Ben M'Barek, spokesman for Suburbs Respect, a group that lobbies for those who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
In some such areas of the Paris region, "there are no white French people left in the streets. You can drive around for two or three hours and all you will see are North Africans and blacks. And these are neighborhoods with enormous problems," he added.
"Those who have the means to leave the projects are white, and they leave. There's no more ethnic diversity."
It was impossible not to see the violence in Villiers-le-Bel in black and white terms.
Of course, we know the rioters are Muslims.
So, is it the fact that they are black and Arab? Or, is it that they are Muslims?
Or, is it that the government doesn't provide enough in the way of benefits?
- France: "youths" Only Torch 372 Cars On New Year's Eve
The "Youths" are restless: VANDALS torched 372 cars as France celebrated the New Year, down on the figure last year after a night the police described as "relatively calm". Cars are burned fairly regularly in France and the image of vehicles in flames...
- We Will Always Have Paris
Or will we? French police are deploying 1000 riot police to the suburb where the "youths" are rioting: VILLIERS LE BEL, France (AFP) - The French authorities deployed 1,000 police to a northern Paris suburb Tuesday to prevent a third night of youth...
- Storm Track Disinformation: We Were Wrong. It’s The French Cops Fault
Listen up IBA and especially FOX News. You are all wrong! There are no Muslim riots in France. “The riots, as anyone who lives in France will attest, are nothing to do with jihad - and are nothing to do with religion. They are the result of a combination...
- Pesky Youths Torch Buses Around Paris
Nondescript....AP.... The word you are thinking of is mentioned ONCE .. and to note that some of these high energy, rambunctious youths, are indeed, ...well, you know... what we really shouldn't say in case there might some upset at the thought of...
- Philippe De Villiers: The Antidote To Le Poisoned Pen
Probably nobody here yet has spoken about Philippe De Villiers, but, he may be the most ideal third-sized party candidate in France to support. Robert Spencer spoke about him a few months ago, and here's a video interview in French with Villiers,...