Anti-Semitism row shines light on fractured French society

[Behind the Aegis]

A gesture of support for a friend, a gesture that is "anti-system," says French footballer Nicolas Anelka, who chose to celebrate his goal-scoring performance in an English Premier League game last weekend with a movement that has sparked controversy not just in the sporting world but also the political.

Known as the "quenelle," it involves pointing the right arm straight down and touching that arm with the left hand.

Anelka explained that Saturday's celebration was nothing more than a nod to his friend, controversial French comedian Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala, who has popularized the gesture in France.

But others believe the gesture is a Nazi salute in reverse, and it has been linked to rising anti-Semitism in France -- a charge over which Dieudonne faces an investigation by the Paris prosecutor's office.

During a performance, Dieudonne said of a prominent Jewish journalist: "Me, you see, when I hear Patrick Cohen speak, I think to myself: 'Gas chambers ... too bad (they no longer exist)."

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Supporters of Dieudonne argue that the issue of "freedom of speech" in France is at stake after Valls called for the comic's performances to be banned. Here a man poses with one of his drawings showing a Jewish character covering the mouth of another character with a gag reading "freedom of speech."

[DavidDvorkin]

1. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. C'est vrai!

Of course, to some, it isn't a "real" problem.

[Ash_F]

3. Wow...that comment section. Almost as good as Yahoo's

...almost

Thought this one had something interesting to say though.

"Henri, Integration of minorities goes through jobs and education. However when the job and education market is reserved to the most privileged while one group is being marginalized and condemned to doing odd jobs to survive it breeds social discontent. The job market in France is discriminating. Besides, don't forget your history. Frenchmen went to underdeveloped countries first, colonized, striped those countries of their traditions and cultures, etc. France still holds colonies and foreign territories."

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Which had nothing to do with the article really.

It was simply slapping down a bigoted remark.

[Ash_F]

5. I think it does.

I think it is a similar situation to the rise of neo-naziism Russia post Soviet economic collapse, where hardship has lead to disaffected youth growing into hardened racists, who then recruit more youths. In times of hardship and stress, people look for someone to blame for their troubles. It is not always the majority against minorities either. It can be minority on minority too.

It feels like it is on the rise in America as well, in the last ~ten years since the big meltdown, although a lot of it is focused against Latinos.

[Behind the Aegis]

6. The common thread is always immigrants and the Jews.

Although, depending on the country, other minorities can share some of the brunt, but those two groups I mentioned always seem to be the main focus.

[Ash_F]

7. When I see immigrants pitted against Jews, it is particularly dissapointing

Both Anelka and Dieudonne are first generation immigrants. Though I am sure they are well to do, many struggling Black French immigrants likely identify with them.

But the hardships of Black immigrants from former French colonies are not the fault of French Jews. They are not the establishment. They were not in charge of the invasions of their homelands. But here you see minorities pitted against minorities for no good reason.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. But it is often the way it is done.

The Jews are always responsible. It doesn't matter if we aren't in the nation in question. So immigrants blame Jews because in their mind, they are the establishment. Many carry their hate of Jews from their former countries, to the new one and find fertile fields in which to sow the seeds of hate. It is popping up all over Europe.

[Ash_F]

9. Consider Jewish involvement in the Black civil rights movement in America

We had heroes like Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman who died in the movement. And they were just two among many many other Jews who fought for equal rights for all.

I am less versed in French civil rights history, but I have never heard of a French Jewish leader coming from the right wing to speak for curbing the rights of Black or Arab immigrants.

It is woefully misplaced anger for sure.

[Behind the Aegis]

10. Their involvement was actually a precipitating factor in anti-Semitism at that time.

It also led to a deal of anti-Semitism in the AA community.

Like you, I am unfamiliar with French civil rights. But, given the history of Europe and Jews, I can't say this is all that surprising, nor are the reactions to it.

[Ash_F]

11. I am not sure how it could have precipitated antisemitism among African Americans

White Christians...yeah I can see that, obviously. But it sounds inexplicable that it would get push back from African Americans.

Can you explain, or link me to an explanation?

[Behind the Aegis]

12. It was similar in some respects.

Among whites, the Jews were seen as trying to destroy the white race with their "army of Negroes." The idea was the Jew would "pollute" the white race, striving for a "mongrel" race, which they would then rule (you can actually see some of the same rhetoric today, usually at Aryan sites). There were some AA at the time that picked up on the white supremacy nonsense and bought into it; the idea that Jews, while "white" weren't really white and were trying to create a "mixed hybrid" they (Jews) could control, essentially, destroying the Black people (this can be found on some Black supremacy sites). The ones that didn't buy that BS thought the Jews, some of the only whites who would rent to, sell to, or do business with Black people, we trying to use the "Black man" to do their "dirty work" (that definition always changed). Despite the words of MLK and other black leaders of the time, there was a growing suspicion among AA, at the time, in regards to Jews. Also, during that time, remember, there was the great hunt for "commies." Jews often fell into that category despite not being communist, as many were (and still are) socialists.

(ETA: Keep in mind, this is the American experience. I am not addressing France or other countries.)

[freshwest]

13. This is tedious and unproductive. Must there always be an enemy? n/t