AP+TS+2013+Algerian+and+Muslim+Prejudice+in+France

__Aim- (Corey Craig)__  The prejudice Algerians and Muslims are facing in France is becoming a growing problem. The tension between the French and Algerians dates all the way back to the Algerian War of Independence, beginning in 1954. The aggravation France feels for losing one of its most significant colonies in African has not completely faded away, as Muslims and people of Algerian descent are being discriminated against. France is not as accepting of minorities because they are said to have, “...alien values, to think of themselves as a new nation, and even to have hopes of superseding the present Judeo-Christian nation of France” (Gurfinkiel). The modern reason for some of the discrimination is that the French do not believe Muslims respect their traditional values and are a danger to the French way of life. The discrimination those in question are facing is mostly in the work environment and on the political stage. There is the appearance of an “...unwelcoming professional world, with regular bank rejections for loans, or months without a callback for an interview” (Lauter). The unfair workplace has many Muslims and Algerians on the unemployment list and living in poor areas of town. Lauter also reported that it is common for employers to ask new employees to alter their names to something less Muslim sounding to please sensitive customers. In regards to politics, the government has made advancements towards a ban on burkas and other such laws, making it increasingly difficult for Muslims to practice their religion. Some Muslims are choosing to be patient. They are continuing to work diligently, hoping France will change its views. However, many of the 6 million Muslims residing in France are not in a patient mood. They are tired of the unjust treatment and want it to change as soon as possible, because the controversy over the issue is also becoming increasingly violent.

Works Cited Gurfinkiel, Michel. "Islam in France: The French Way of Life Is in Danger." Middle East  Forum. N.p., Mar. 1997. Web. 16 Nov. 2013.

Lauter, Devorah. “Muslims in France Feel the Sting of Discrimination.” Los Angeles Times.  Web. 17 November 2013.

__Audience- (Bradley Lewis)__  America and France can be depicted as two countries that have thoughtfully and aggressively sought after and discriminated against certain types of people. America had its “red scare” and McCarthyism and now there is Islamophobia occurring through France and much of Europe, “.... [the] ‘Islam scare‘ with its discourse on Muslim loyalties has emerged out of the interplay between the intelligence services‘ targeting of mosques as sites for international jihadist networks and radicalisation” (Fekete). Mosques and other gathering of muslims are places that continue to be portrayed as part of the “iaslm scare” that is ravishing the nation. Public gatherings of muslims, are seen as places where plots of destruction and devastation are devised. Muslims are being targeted the same way as communists were being sought after during the Cold War. The prejudice against muslims is highly effective and is surging through France and much of Europe where many people are Christian and Catholic. People in the Muslim community try to fight against the prejudice and disprove stereotypes, but history and modern society has also been against muslims, such as France banning of veils or religious symbols in schools. The President of France visited Algeria a year ago, and relations are still very stiff from the 150 years colonization of Algeria by France. When France colonized Algeria, “...Christian and Jewish residents of Algeria were granted French citizenship starting 1871, indigenous Muslims — the vast majority of Algeria’s population — were not” (Crumly). Algerians and muslims have faced prejudices in schools, education, work, and life. It started in 1871 when “indigenous Muslims” could not receive French citizenship. Although Algerians and muslims face the new McCarthyism as Islamophobia of France, they are able to work with it and improvements have made made, but many are still needed.

Works Cited Crumley, Bruce. "France's Colonial Hangover: Apologizing Abroad, Ignoring Injustice at  Home." World Time. Time, 28 Dec. 2012. Web. 16 November 2013.

Fekete, Liz. Islamophobia: Europe's New McCarthyism. Rep. Leeds: University of Leeds,  2008. Web. 16 November 2013.

__Historical- (Genevieve Patterson)__  <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The significant prejudice against Muslims and those of Algerian descent in modern day France has its origins in the Algerian War for Independence from France. The Algerian War of Independence (1954-1962), “ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #121917; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">was one of the longest and bloodiest wars fought to overthrow European colonial rule in Africa” (Watson). Algeria was one of France’s most important colonies in Africa and it was home to many European settlers. Therefore, France was much more reluctant to relinquish its hold on Algeria and there were many people within Algeria who felt loyalties to France. Algeria’s struggle to gain independence was a vicious fight in which both sides committed atrocities such as terrorism and torture. Thousands of people were killed. The relationship between the French and Algerians is still strained due to this bloody history, “ <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The past does indeed still cast a shadow over France's relationship with Algeria. Though the two countries are bound together by a web of human and economic ties, somehow the suspicion never disappears” (Schofield). French and Algerian cultural are still woven together due to their shared history. Many Algerians gained French citizenship after fighting in WWII and others supported the French during the Algerian War for Independence, fleeing to France before the end of the war. There are many French-Algerians living in France currently, yet the are still viewed as a lesser class and face discrimination. Given the bloody colonial history between French and Algeria, it is unsurprising French-Algerians and other French citizens view each other with distrust.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #121917; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Works Cited: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #121917; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Watson, William E. "Algerian War of Independence." World History: The Modern Era. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #121917; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 17 November 2013

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #121917; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Schofield, Hugh. “France’s War in Algeria Explored in Paris Exhibition.” BBC News, Paris. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #121917; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> BBC, June 2012. Web. 17 November 2013.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Cultural- (Madison Arnone)__

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> In France, tensions between the French and those of Algerian and Muslim descent have intensified over the years. According to author Michel Gurfinkiel, those inhabiting France with Algerian and Muslim descent, "…have alien values, to think of themselves as a new nation, and even to have hopes of superseding the present Judeo-Christian nation of France" ("Islam in France"). Because of this ideology that the Algerians and Muslims intend to take over French society and culture, tensions have risen. The French also "doubt their [Muslims] willingness and ability to respect French values" ("France Under Fire"). The French want to preserve their culture and society and fear that any outsiders with different values will contaminate this sort of utopia the French are after. Therefore, the French discriminate against these "outsiders" in "access to employment, education, housing, and goods and services" ("France Under Fire"). There have been several efforts to control this prejudice, but they seem futile due to France's incapability to integrate others into their society. There have been Anti-Algerian and Anti-Islamisering protests that portray the French's negative attitude towards those of Algerian and Muslim descent, showing they are unwelcome.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Works Cited: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“France Under Fire Over Discrimination Against Muslims.” Middle East Online. Middle East <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Online. Web. 16 November 2013.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Gurfinkiel, Michel. "Islam in France: The French Way of Life Is in Danger." Middle East <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Forum. N.p., March 1997. Web. 16 November 2013.