“France, you like it or leave it”: Response to Mr Sarkozy from someone who loved it and left it
“France, you like it or leave it!”
How dare you, Mr the President? It is not really presidential to steal an opponent‘s motto without referencing him. Is it because he is an outspoken nationalist, Islamophobic and the « rooted conservative » (as he likes to describe himself) of the French political landscape? Come on, Mr the President! One would never dare associate you with such an individual. During a 2007 speech to the new members of the UMP (Union pour un Mouvement Populaire) these famous words; a motto of the extreme right-wing MPF (Mouvement Pour La France) were rephrased and seasoned in the salts of President Sarkozy. So, does that make our French President a nationalist, Islamophobic and a « rooted conservative »? Some like to believe that you are what you say. But this is not today’s issue. Back to your comment, Mr. Sarkozy!
“France, you like it or leave it!”
The violence of the words you used left many of us at a loss. I mean, this isn’t really straight forward, Mr the President. Is it possible to like it (France) and leave it? Can you love the country in which you were born so much that you can no longer bear to stay in there? A bit like loving someone so passionately that you hate him when he betrays you. I met some of those who liked it and left it… I met them in the UK. Strangely, most of them are part of what we call the ethnic minorities; they are sons and daughters of Africans and North African immigrants. They were born in France but are still questioned about their identity and their patriotism. They love their country; there is no doubt about this but they left it… And I am one of them.
France: Why we liked you BUT left you?
What a strange feeling to be asked about the French culture, the French habits, to be teased about your French accent or simply to be called a Frenchie. After five years of living in the UK, I sometimes feel like I am an imposter; the owner of an ‘identity’ that does not really belong to me. Why do I feel more French when I am abroad than when in my native country? It has become a ritual; as soon as I open my mouth my accent provokes a flurry of predictable questions. They ask me: “Where were you from”? At the beginning I did not know what to answer. Am I allowed to say that I am French? I do have a French ID card but I don’t drink wine and I don’t eat pork. I feel these qualities make me less French but for the Brits it is easy, I am French. As they notice my background is not originally French, I always add “French-Moroccan” but to them it makes no difference. To the English I am French. Plain and simple. It reminds me of the mentality in Morocco; the country of my ancestors, where we are easily given the label: ‘French’.
So another interesting question arises: Do we (ethnic minorities) have to travel to be considered French? Yes, we liked it and left it but ironically it only drew us closer to it. This may seem a ridiculous explanation, Mr the President. As a man of law, you need some facts and not simple speculation. Here is a fact: According to a report published in May 2009 by the HALDE (the Haute Autorité de Lutte Contre les Discriminations et Pour les Egalités), 38% of the private sector employees feel they’ve been subject to discrimination. Forty-nine percent of these people attribute this ostracism to ethnic reasons (http://www.halde.fr/La-perception-des-discriminations.html). No wonder we all cross the border to find jobs and opportunities in this new El Dorado.
Many Frenchies – Blacks – Beurs (French slang for Arabic) crossed the channel because they foresaw more opportunities in the UK. They simply gave up like Karim T. who admitted: “I will support France, I really will, the day it supports me”.
They felt discriminated against, unaccepted and unloved by their own country; the same nation which advocates Equality as being one of its pillars… How ironic!
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Hi,
I entirely share the vision described in this article. The words of the French presidents are rude, mainly for people like me who had to leave their country. Indeed, I am a white French, and my family has leaved in France for years (maybe for as long as Brittany has belonged to France). However, I had to leave during an economic crisis, during it was required to seek for jobs for at least 6 months before being offered a position. With a Master in IT, I worked as a cashier for Lidl before I started selling mobile phones. Only people from rich families could spend time searching for jobs, living on their parents’ income. I did not have this chance.
Besides, there are two groups in France: those coming from the University and those coming from Engineering schools. Enterprises are led by engineers, and they mostly employ people from engineering schools. Others have less opportunities and can hardly evolved in their enterprises.
In England, I spent a year improving my English. First, I worked in a pasty shop, before becoming a supply teacher. As a foreigner, I had no right for respect. But I was given opportunities to learn and climb up the hierarchy. I built up my career through work, and not because my parents had enrolled me in good expensive schools.
It is also true that the French stereotype is very strong in the UK. As soon as I say where I come from, I am considered as a wine expert and a constant baguette-eater. But who cares? I think that the French community in the UK is far more aware of what « being French » means. In France, people keep listening to the lies of their leaders. They have completely lost the French values, those that defined the « grandeur de la France » (greatness of France). While politics talk about military power, foreigners talk about free spirit, the ability to fight for human rights via different intellectual movements. As soon as French people stop thinking and being intellectual, they actually stop being French. French people fight for their citizens rights (as they did during the Lumieres, the French revolution, or in May 68). French people don’t give up on their country. They might leave it temporarily, but it is only to organise themselves and fight for their ideal France.
Thanks a lot I liked the article
This is clearly an interesting topic, as a french citizen of African origin,I have been affected like many brothers and sisters who have migrated abroad. Its a shame that the term « dicrimination » still persist in modern day France.
Hmm, Interesting comments
Well… all I can say is that I loved France and I left it because of unemployment! I still come back to France twice a year to see my family but I don’t feel I belong there anymore. It is certainly due to the fact that Sarkozy is now the president of this country… I watch the Zapping everyday and 5 minutes of him a day is enough for me. It gives me a clear idea of what French people see and hear on a daily basis and I am ashamed of this country and this government, I must say. This is not a republic anymore and people just believe everything the censured media tell them. Only a minority of people see the government as it really is and that worries me. What worries me more is that I don’t see how/when things can change because who can fight against Sarkozy? Where is the left wing? Who are the new opponents who are going to show and convince French people that the situation is now very dangerous? I don’t recognise this France anymore. Am I proud to be French? Yes, because I am proud of my roots and of my values but if people talked to me about Sarkozy, what I can tell them???
I do understand what you feel Sylvia
Thanks for your comments and for sharing this point of view. I did put a sarcastic tone to my words but only to emphasize the feelings of rejection that many of us experience. I think that french media play a big role in this situation and have a lot of work to do to improve the image of ethnic minorities in France, to be more accessible to everyone and to educate the population…
Let’s just hope that « a change is gonna come » (Same Cooke)
Leave your response!
Recents
Méta
AnOpEneye calendar
Comments
Tags
EMail
Ratings
AnOpenEye archiaves
Cathegories
Blogroll
Most Commented
Most Viewed