In 2004, an anti-veiling law was passed, known as the law on the wearing
of religious symbols at school. Twenty years later should we celebrate
this law which many claim has racist aims? ---- This year marks 20 years
since the 2004 law on the wearing of religious symbols at school was
promulgated, not for reasons of secularism (the 1905 law is sufficiently
clear on freedom of worship) , but to stigmatize the Muslim population.
This two years after the presence of the far right in the second round
of the presidential election for the first time.
Since then, the far right has continued to rise and the situation is
getting worse. The latest back-to-school circular, one of Gabriel
Attal's first measures upon taking office, bans abayas in
establishments. Each decision further stigmatizes Muslims in France.
The emancipation of students undoubtedly requires a step back from their
family and religious traditions, but this law does not achieve this
objective. A brutal ban does not allow us to step back or emancipate, it
just adds oppression to people who already experience it every day, and
is an attack on the right to education. The inequality of treatment
between different religions is glaring within the educational
environment: many private religious establishments exist for other
religions.
In addition to being Islamophobic, this law is sexist and is one of the
many injunctions that adolescent girls receive on the way they dress. No
outfit really seems to allow them to avoid being controlled over their
bodies: when it is not a question of reproaching them for clothes that
are too short, it is those that are too long that become problematic.
While emancipation would consist of letting them choose in an informed
manner, this law is out of the question.
In the teachers' rooms, it is very difficult to broach the subject.
Teachers are in fact overwhelmingly in favor of this law (more than 90%
according to certain surveys[1]).
A necessary "against" position but difficult to obtain
Even among union members, we quickly find ourselves faced with arguments
like "if we leave the veil, then...", with several possible variations
on the catastrophe that will then occur. The perpetual propaganda of the
far right in the media and social networks unfortunately has a certain
effectiveness when it rekindles conflicts or creates controversies.
The teaching unions are mostly silent on this subject, but late and
timid progress is appearing: the SUD education federation recently stood
out by calling for its repeal. This decision was the subject of
difficult internal debates and some departures; However, it appears
beneficial in view of the dramatic consequences of the law on the daily
lives of the students concerned. The opinions expressed by the youngest
on this law give more hope: a survey[2]shows 52% of high school students
against this law, which suggests that change is possible in the long term.
In-depth union and political work remains to be carried out: it appears
necessary to mobilize massively against this law which gives free rein
to daily discrimination, and against all those in the same vein already
promulgated or which will soon be.
Activist teachers from UCL
To validate
[1]"Teachers, secularism and the place of religions in school", Ifop.com
[2]""Right to blasphemy", secularism, freedom of education... Are
today's high school students "Paty"?», Ifop.com
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Islamophobie-et-sexisme-d-Etat-Une-loi-discriminante-qui-continue-de-provoquer
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
of religious symbols at school. Twenty years later should we celebrate
this law which many claim has racist aims? ---- This year marks 20 years
since the 2004 law on the wearing of religious symbols at school was
promulgated, not for reasons of secularism (the 1905 law is sufficiently
clear on freedom of worship) , but to stigmatize the Muslim population.
This two years after the presence of the far right in the second round
of the presidential election for the first time.
Since then, the far right has continued to rise and the situation is
getting worse. The latest back-to-school circular, one of Gabriel
Attal's first measures upon taking office, bans abayas in
establishments. Each decision further stigmatizes Muslims in France.
The emancipation of students undoubtedly requires a step back from their
family and religious traditions, but this law does not achieve this
objective. A brutal ban does not allow us to step back or emancipate, it
just adds oppression to people who already experience it every day, and
is an attack on the right to education. The inequality of treatment
between different religions is glaring within the educational
environment: many private religious establishments exist for other
religions.
In addition to being Islamophobic, this law is sexist and is one of the
many injunctions that adolescent girls receive on the way they dress. No
outfit really seems to allow them to avoid being controlled over their
bodies: when it is not a question of reproaching them for clothes that
are too short, it is those that are too long that become problematic.
While emancipation would consist of letting them choose in an informed
manner, this law is out of the question.
In the teachers' rooms, it is very difficult to broach the subject.
Teachers are in fact overwhelmingly in favor of this law (more than 90%
according to certain surveys[1]).
A necessary "against" position but difficult to obtain
Even among union members, we quickly find ourselves faced with arguments
like "if we leave the veil, then...", with several possible variations
on the catastrophe that will then occur. The perpetual propaganda of the
far right in the media and social networks unfortunately has a certain
effectiveness when it rekindles conflicts or creates controversies.
The teaching unions are mostly silent on this subject, but late and
timid progress is appearing: the SUD education federation recently stood
out by calling for its repeal. This decision was the subject of
difficult internal debates and some departures; However, it appears
beneficial in view of the dramatic consequences of the law on the daily
lives of the students concerned. The opinions expressed by the youngest
on this law give more hope: a survey[2]shows 52% of high school students
against this law, which suggests that change is possible in the long term.
In-depth union and political work remains to be carried out: it appears
necessary to mobilize massively against this law which gives free rein
to daily discrimination, and against all those in the same vein already
promulgated or which will soon be.
Activist teachers from UCL
To validate
[1]"Teachers, secularism and the place of religions in school", Ifop.com
[2]""Right to blasphemy", secularism, freedom of education... Are
today's high school students "Paty"?», Ifop.com
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Islamophobie-et-sexisme-d-Etat-Une-loi-discriminante-qui-continue-de-provoquer
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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