The Paris Riots...

Okay, so last night I read an article regarding how many Muslim/African women living in Paris are essentially treated as prisoners in the low-income areas where they live. In the United States, we'd probably dismissively refer to these areas as the ghetto, but in France, they are called "cities" or something.

Anyway, apparently the French authorities pay groups to "take care of" their neighborhoods. What this perpetuates is an air of approval for the out-dated "Muslim" customs that are allowed in Northern Africa and the Middle East. (Sidenote: I put Muslim in quotes because a true Muslim isn't for hurting others). What happens? Well, women aren't allowed to get jobs and many of them are beaten, forced into polygamous marriages and also subjected to honor killings or beatings. Additionally, many aren't completing their education because the French government doesn't allow headscarves at school, but the Muslim heads of household won't let their daughters/wives/nieces/etc... go into public without a head scarf.

It makes me ill knowing this type of thing happens anywhere, but I am further saddened that it is occurring in a country that considers itself civilized. Does America have clean hands? No, but that doesn't excuse any violation of human rights, no matter where it occurs.

Which brings me to these riots that are still going on at the outskirts of Paris. A quick geography lesson: the riots are occurring on the outskirts because the city itself is almost surrounded by these "cities." So essentially these people, like the people in Watts or in Compton after the Rodney King verdict, are destroying their own neighborhoods because they are trapped and corralled by the police. Should they be rioting? No...but they're angry, they're frustrated, they're oppressed and that all comes together to create an explosive situation.

The riots began when two young men were electrocuted. Both men were in their teens and they were Northern Africans and Muslim. Excuse the pun, but this was the spark that set off all this anger...the pot finally boiled over. Prior to the riots, there was much anger by the Muslim population due to their immigration status, poverty, declining education standards in their areas, joblessness and a failure by the French society to accept or integrate the millions of African and Muslim immigrants it has accepted in the last twenty years.

This is a complex issue that won't be fixed anytime soon. However, "every journey begins with a single step." If France started accepting and recognizing Muslims, instead of forcing them to "look and act" like everybody else, it may smooth over things. That doesn't mean accept some of the atrocities that were carried over to France by these extreme factions within the Muslim faith (i.e. honor killings, women as property, etc...). You can still recognize difference while all following the law. There are basic human rights that are being violated by both groups, and that needs to end. Equality isn't making sure neighbor is like neighbor. It's letting your neighbor know that you're different, but no better or no worse.

(jumps off soap box and gets back to the legaling)