Post-National Assembly

WRITTEN ON JULY 8, AFTER MY EXPERIENCE OBSERVING THE BURQA BAN DEBATE AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Ah ha! What an experience! I feel like I actually DID something today, rather than just do things I could have done otherwise. I suppose I could have gotten the National Assembly transcripts, but actually going there, seeing the atmosphere, was amazing. "So what did you think?" would ask Dr. Robyn. "Well, many things," I would say with a snarky smile indicating I am smart and did take the whole experience in. Ok, I think: For one, this debate is NOT AT ALL about the veil itself. Since when are conservatives defending the rights of women to not be oppressed? Half of them probably hit their wives. This is about the preservation of society, of keeping the status quo, the "Frenchness" of France. They feel bombarded by new developments: the EU, the rise of Germany as an economic powerhouse, new population dynamics, the declining economy, loss of public confidence... they are turning to the basics, the fundamentals of society. Several times during the debate I thought: are we really arguing about a small piece of fabric across the face? I think even the representatives in the National Assembly would acknowledge this. But it does seem throughout the speeches and discourses of the politicians, that the entire country is at stake. This really is a "remaniement," or revision/evaluation, of the country's very core.

I can't count how many times these politicians, including those on the left, invoked "liberty, equality, fraternity" and "secularism." What is interesting is the usage of these terms, and how it differs from the US who holds these values just as close to its heart. In the US, politicians would never go out of their way to state that we are a secular nation, and they CERTAINLY wouldn't use it as a platform, ideologically-speaking, to pass one law or the other. The French Right (La Droite), however, are big fans of secularism, an ideal which is entrenched in the French tradition. Electors in France hardly ever use religion to make electoral decisions (while they certainly do in the US). I think conservatives in both countries are doing the same thing-- falling back on law, on established tradition, not upsetting the "natural order of things." Interesting approach for a country that was founded on just that principle. Someone's been reading Edmund Burke...

Another interesting thing is that French conservatives, along with defending secularism, are also using the oppression of women to justify support of the law. You'd probably never see Conservatives in the US do this. I think this goes back to religion. We are probably just as much a Christian nation as France is... but we choose to let it show.

Another difference is the status French politicians enjoy in France, which is very little. They are just not so public with their doings. Yes, if you misspend government cash, especially in the midst of an economic crisis, there will be an uproar... but for other situations that would be scandals in the US (marital affairs, or prostitute procurement) are "who the f***" cares in France... or at least there is less apathy for these stories in the US.

This all leads me to make the statement that I felt like democracy was so much more REAL in that chamber than in ours, where everyone is a big celebrity who can't make an outrageous or even controversial statement without being hounded. I mean, yes, there was certainly a lot of rudeness in the French National Assembly debate session. Yelling straight at each other, cruelty... But this is their way. Governance should, perhaps, happen this way. Joe Wilson's outburst would have been NOTHING to the French here.

But I want to write about the veil.

Conservatives defended the ban this way:
-Burqa represents fundamental Islam
-Oppresses women (goes against the Rights of Man, a document similar to our Declaration of Independence that was written as a result of the French Revolution)
-Is against secularism, and other republican values of the state
-Creates a less secure atmosphere

One of the conservatives said, notably, when referring to the Founding Fathers of France, "nos saints Republicains"... roughly translated, this means "Our Republican saints." If my translation is correct, I find this a curious word choice for a platform that is so secular. Although perhaps not... though "saints" does have a Christian connotation, maybe the point is that the only religion we should have is the law, the state. This reminds me of Thomas Paine's essay on the American Revolution, where he said in America, "law is king." I think that was Paine.

Liberals attacked it this way:
-Proposed ban takes away women's right to make her own choices on dress. Is actually an assault on women.
-Will create more instability in society (protests, etc.)
-Not necessary... at maximum, only 2000 women in France wear burqas
-Law isn't well-written or effective
-Attacks Islam. State should do more to recognize the second-largest religion in the country

I think for the majority of these politicians, no matter what side of the aisle they chill on, they are positively entrenched in liberal thinking, if that makes sense... no, I think what I mean is that they are so satisfied with their original revolution, that other change is too radical. Isn't there a contradiction here? I have argued this in the US too... our founding fathers, liberal and progressive as they were, would have wanted us to undertake change in the country, even changing the Constitution, if deemed necessary. Why do we cling to our founding fathers ideas, when, great as they are, they lose all or even some value in our time today?

You know, despite France's ferocious intellectual beginnings and foundational intellectual contributions to Western thought, the French have, since the Revolution, produced some very pessimistic, albeit liberal, thinkers. Think Sartre, De Toqueville, Camus, the Impressionists, the "ex-pat" crowd, the Beat people.

Ok, last few ideas...

I guess I am a little confused how the burqa actually violates any commandments of republican ideals. I don't see how it is against secularism AT ALL... it is not violating the separation of the church and state... and it intrudes into society just like any other article of clothing... should we ban ANY clothing that looks different? I don't get it. Maybe I am missing something. If anything, a law making such a judgement on the very character and tradition of one religion is violating its own code of secularism. It's LESS OF A STRETCH to make this last argument than to say that 2000 women walking around France in large cloaks and masks somehow erodes the fabric of society. I agree that a state should preserve the right to help form religion to its laws, but how does the wearing of the burqa erode at all the nature of the state-society relationship? Can you answer this for me?

On another train of thought, although the left are in general agreement on the principles that compose their opposition to the burqa ban, there is no agreement from them on how to confront the passage of the bill. Some in the Chamber argued in favor of killing the bill, calling it "not necessary" or "anti-republican." Others believes that the law needs amending, to possibly incorporate some aspects that were not included or lacking. One woman mentioned education (although I couldn't pick up the context). Another mentioned the need to emphasize respect for the Islamic community. This is why, I think, Dr. Murphy or Professor Berrong at KSU have no hope for the Socialist Party-- it can't get any message aligned well-enough with all its diverse-thinking members. If only the party could get some minorities to vote... perhaps by motivating them by strongly decrying passage of this statute??? I don't understand Socialist Party, do something, go out, be angry, voice your opionion... Sadly, I think their NOT DOING THIS reflects the general attitudes of those in elected office. When even the Socialist Party is touched by conservatism (to not do anything), you get the feeling they understand and really take in how much the country drifts right in times of economic crisis. It's hard on them, they have no culprit for the economic crisis except poor management by the European Union (who they are famous for supporting more than any other party in France).

FIN.