France…
Should public policy prioritize acknowledging racial and cultural differences or treat all citizens equally regardless of their background? The traditional view has often presented these options as Anglo-Saxon multiculturalism versus French assimilationism, with one emphasizing the rights of ethnic minorities and communities, and the other focusing on individual rights. However, this binary opposition oversimplifies the complexities of the issue.
Recent events have shed light on this complexity. One example is the debate surrounding the US Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate affirmative action, as well as the riots in France following the police killing of Nahel Merzouk. While affirmative action has benefited middle-class black individuals, it has not addressed the challenges faced by working-class African Americans.
The Supreme Court’s ruling against Harvard’s race-based admission policy raised concerns about the potential stagnation of African Americans’ progress in higher education. However, for the Black poor, the absence of affirmative action does not change their circumstances significantly. The disparity within the African American community is often overlooked, as black Americans are often treated as a monolithic group. In reality, black America has been the most unequal racial or ethnic group in the United States for decades.
This inequality affects various aspects of life, including education and incarceration. Elite universities like Harvard demonstrate a lack of diversity, not primarily along racial lines, but rather based on socioeconomic status. This pattern of elite recruitment disproportionately affects African Americans, making affirmative action primarily beneficial for the black elite.
The sociologist William Julius Wilson highlighted this issue in his influential 1978 work, “The Declining Significance of Race,” noting the deepening economic division within African American communities. Over the years, there has been an increasing emphasis on racial identities in politics, despite the material realities showing a disconnect. As a result, the majority of African Americans have been excluded from the benefits of racial progress, while racism continues to play a significant role in their lives.
Some critics argue for “color blind” policies that disregard race and culture, advocating for equal treatment of all individuals. France represents a nation that embodies this approach, with its republican tradition and universalist principles. However, in practice, French policies often ignore racism in the name of “color blindness,” leading to the marginalization of certain groups, such as Jews in the past and Muslims and North African-origin individuals today. The concept of “universalism” has become a tool to highlight the perceived “difference” of specific communities and justify their exclusion.
France’s refusal to recognize racial distinctions and collect race-based data makes it challenging to assess the extent of racial discrimination and denies its existence. Numerous studies, surveys, and examples of racial profiling and employment discrimination have exposed the racial biases underlying France’s supposedly race-blind ideals.
Moreover, police violence, exemplified by Nahel’s killing, highlights the negative perceptions of minority communities. The inflammatory statement issued by French police unions during the riots, referring to the “savage hordes” and proclaiming a “war” against them, illustrates the consequences of refusing to acknowledge the social reality of racism.
Both the American and French approaches have their shortcomings. While the American focus on policymaking by racial categories neglects the communities it intends to help by overlooking other influential factors like class, it also creates new tensions between different racial and ethnic groups. A universalist perspective that recognizes both equal treatment and the reality of racial inequality is necessary.
In summary, the debate between race-conscious and color-blind public policies is more nuanced than a simple binary opposition. Affirmative action and racial categorization should take into account the intersection of race and class, ensuring that policy approaches address the complex challenges faced by different segments of society. A universalist perspective that embraces equality while acknowledging racial inequality is needed to forge a more inclusive future.
