France Grapples with the Taboo of Discussing Race and Ethnicity
PARIS — Self-censorship regarding discussions of race and ethnicity remains prevalent in French public life and media. Following the fatal police shooting of Nahel M., few individuals mentioned his North African descent, although it was widely known. France may claim to be color-blind, but the unspoken understanding of racial and ethnic identities persists. This silence on Nahel M.’s background did not prevent conversations about allegations of racism in the police force or discrimination in French society. However, it highlights the societal taboos present in a nation that prides itself on being above such divisions.
In contrast, international press coverage openly addressed Nahel M.’s origins and presented his death as a clear example of police racism. The police officer involved has since been arrested. The negative media attention reached such a level that the government felt compelled to defend France’s model. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, in an interview with the British press, stated that it was “totally unacceptable” to label the French police force as racist. Additionally, government officials have asserted that the riots were not exclusive to French society.
However, these claims pose an apparent problem for France, as its state ideology opposes collecting data based on race or religion. Consequently, the accuracy and reliability of France’s data on racism and discrimination are questionable. The principle of color-blind republicanism, deeply entrenched in French society and protected by the country’s constitution, holds that citizenship prevails over considerations of race, gender, and religion. Authorities are prohibited from collecting racial data on citizens; in France, you are simply French.
This principle emerged in response to the trauma of World War II, during which racial data was exploited by authorities to aid in the persecution of Jews. However, this ideal now finds itself under scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum. Minority groups advocating against discrimination and seeking better representation in French institutions demand hard statistics to support their cause. Conversely, anti-immigration parties, including Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, desire more demographic data to advocate for stronger immigration controls. Even President Emmanuel Macron’s party, Renaissance, has begun discussing the issue of ethnic-based statistics, acknowledging the inadequacy of measuring the extent of damage caused by discrimination based on origin.
The recent video depicting the shooting of Nahel M. by a police officer further highlights the deep-rooted tensions and divisions within French society. Hassan Ben M’Barek, a member of the pressure group Banlieues Respect, became aware of the video when setting up a meeting to improve relations between the youth and the police. After watching the footage, Ben M’Barek recognized the impending trouble. His younger friend warned him, saying, “Listen, Hassan, people have got hatred [the hatred].” Ben M’Barek, who has dedicated 40 years to local politics and feels that French universalism does not apply to him, discussed his perpetual battle against discrimination and suspicions regarding his loyalty to the country. France’s color-blind principle of universalism simply does not work in his experience.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin’s recent remarks regarding a potential link between immigration and the unrest further highlighted the challenges France faces in openly addressing issues of immigration and race. When asked about this connection, Darmanin acknowledged that some of the rioters may have an immigrant background but added that there were also individuals with names associated with the white, non-immigrant population. These comments exemplify the complexities surrounding discussions of race and ethnicity in France.
The U.S. and British commentariat have started to echo Ben M’Barek’s viewpoint, criticizing France’s claim of being a “color-blind” society. However, the situation in France is far from straightforward. Sociologist François Dubet notes that while France is sometimes viewed as a racist country due to its existing racism, the rate of mixed-race couples is higher than that of the United States. French statistics agency INSEE reports that 56 percent of second-generation immigrants in France come from mixed-origin couples, and 94 percent of third-generation immigrants have at least two non-immigrant grandparents. In contrast, Pew Research Center states that only 11 percent of married U.S. couples are of different racial or ethnic backgrounds.
Dubet explains that while France has become more diverse overall, the residing poor tenements in the French suburbs have become less mixed, poorer, and more isolated as wealthier individuals move to better neighborhoods. Additionally, corridors of power continue to be predominantly white. Dominique Sopo, president of the pressure group SOS Racism, raises practical concerns about introducing U.S.-style data collection and affirmative action in France given the country’s societal diversity. He argues that affirmative action based on welfare criteria would be more effective. Sopo emphasizes that the problem lies not in collecting statistics but in the political response to discrimination and racism allegations.
One major concern surrounding the discussion of race and ethnicity in France is the rise of anti-immigration parties such as Marine Le Pen’s National Rally and Eric Zemmour’s more extreme Reconquest party. While these parties do not advocate abandoning color-blindness, they do employ demographic data to support their claim that immigration is linked to criminality. The fear is that these parties could weaponize more data to perpetuate the narrative that migrants are overwhelming France. This further exacerbates the challenge faced by mainstream parties in addressing allegations of racism in the police force and improving security in disadvantaged neighborhoods. While Macron’s promises to find solutions have appeared indecisive, the left has struggled with internal divisions regarding calls for calm in the wake of the riots.
Given the polarized nature of the political climate, the introduction of more demographic data on race and ethnicity in France is seen by Sopo as benefiting the far right and being counterproductive to tackling discrimination. Consequently, France continues to maneuver carefully around issues of race and ethnicity.