Racism: A comparative analysis of France and America
The contrasting histories and legacies of colonialism, not one more severe than the other that each culture evokes in its national ethos or narrative account for the variations in racial and racist practices between France and the United States. As a “nation of immigrants,” the United States also depends on a narrative of progressive racial progress; that is, despite a lengthy history of legalized racial discrimination and slavery, this history is rarely used to explain the dynamics of racism and racial inequality that exist today.
Race in American vs France Politics
The people with darker color than the majority of white Americans are the terrifying immigrants, the “others,” whose racial identity is clearly seen on their features. His anti-immigrant campaign has a strong racial component. He isn’t talking about Canada when he criticizes the nation’s “open borders.” He expresses his wish for further immigration from Norway and other mostly white countries. Social scientists like myself have been able to show that race has always played a major role in Trump’s popularity. As the United States launches a new presidential campaign, most certainly with Trump as the Republican nominee.
Many Americans believe that white people in the United States experience either a “great deal” or a “fair amount” of prejudice, including one-third of white respondents. Republicans who identify as Republicans are more likely to believe that white people face discrimination than Black, Latino, or Asian people do. Recent occurrences in France have demonstrated how sensitive the topic of race is in French culture. However, in order to go forward, policymakers must stress that this is nothing new and that racism in France, both past and current, must be addressed in public policy.
Racial Justice Movements
Even while France ruled over large portions of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, concerns about immigration from these former colonies, expanding multiculturalism, and Islam in France have made such a colonial past less significant in the post-colonial era. The motto extols “liberté, égalité, et fraternité,” which means that everyone is regarded and regarded as French as long as they adhere to French Republican principles. People connect to the state as individuals in an assimilationist paradigm rather than as members of identification groupings.
Racial hostility among White Americans has risen under Barack Obama’s administration. Even many 2008 Obama supporters quickly discovered that, although initially somewhat thrilling, the media’s obsession with Obama being the country’s first Black president was difficult to deal with on a daily basis. The United States has never been “post-racial,” meaning it is not free from racial bias or discrimination today. Making a valid argument that white Americans face greater discrimination than Black Americans is difficult. Such a claim withers in the face of hard facts, such as the fact that Black employees make only 70% of White employees’ wages on average, that the median wealth of White households in 2021 was nine times that of Black households, that Black Americans, and Black men in particular, are incarcerated at significantly higher rates than White Americans, or that the homeownership gap between Black and White Americans is significant, standing at 44% versus 73%, and continues to widen.
Political Polarization
The idea that white Americans face more discrimination than persons of color is refuted by reports even from white Americans themselves. Compared to other racial groupings, white people are less likely to say that they have received unfavorable treatment from others. Furthermore, there is evidence that racial disparities impact how people are treated, as “those with self-reported darker skin tones are more likely to report discrimination experiences than those with lighter skin tones” among Black adults.
This may be seen, for instance, in the ongoing discussion about African American reparations or in the commemoration of Barack Obama as the first Black US president, which represents the culmination of earlier civil rights victories. Republicanism has long been hailed in France as a superior national cohesion and community builder than identity politics in the US. It is believed that recognizing racial distinctions propagates them. Because of this, the French frequently point to the United States with its focus on multiculturalism and diversity as an illustration of the risks associated with the official measurement and marking of race and ethnicity in society. Accusations of importing US structures are made in response to racism allegations in France.
Boycott Paris Olympics: Fighting Racism Globally
Boycotting the Paris Olympics in 2024 could be seen as a statement against the racial disparities and discrimination present in both France and the United States. The Olympics, often seen as a symbol of unity and sportsmanship, could be leveraged to bring attention to issues of racism and inequality on a global stage. However, such a boycott would be controversial and would require widespread support and coordination among athletes, governments, and advocacy groups. Ultimately, it would be a decision fraught with political, social, and ethical considerations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Republicanism has long been hailed in France as a superior national cohesion and community builder than identity politics in the US. It is believed that recognizing racial distinctions propagates them. Because of this, the French frequently point to the United States with its focus on multiculturalism and diversity as an illustration of the risks associated with the official measurement and marking of race and ethnicity in society. Accusations of importing US structures are made in response to racism allegations in France.
