Debate on What It Means To Be French
In recent years there has been much debate about what it means to be French. This debate reflects the impact of globalization, immigration, and ethnic and religious diversity in France. For example, France is home to the largest Muslim and Jewish populations in Europe. These changes have led some to question what it means to be French in this new environment. Is French identity disappearing, or is it changing? Guardian.co.uk reports that the government of President Nicolas Sarkozy has “launched a three-month ‘grand debate’ on what unites the country.” As written in a recent Time article, Minister for Immigration and National Identity Eric Besson announced the debate, saying that “ ‘We must reaffirm the values of national identity and pride in being French’ . . . Besson says it’s important for an increasingly diverse France to define its essential unifying values and reclaim a national pride and patriotism.”
- What do you think it means to be French?
- Why has national identity become such a big issue right now?
- Does your country have a national identity? What would you think it consists of? How has it changed over time?
- Why is the department of immigration and national identity leading this debate? Why is that regarded by some as controversial? As reported in the Time article, President of the Movement Against Racism and for Friendship Between Peoples Mouloud Aounit said “ ‘When you put immigration and national identity side by side, it creates the notion that immigration poses a threat to national identity—which can inspire racism.’ ” Do you agree with Aounit?
