French Riots Should Serve As Wake-Up Call For America
American political commentator Michael O’Neill’s recent perspective on the civil unrest in France is a poignant reminder of the issues simmering at home. It calls us to recognize the deep societal parallels between the two nations, notably the risks that come with massive third-world immigration and the burgeoning disconnect between ruling parties and their citizenries.
In response to the police-involved shooting of a 17-year-old boy of North African descent, France has been ensnared by protests and riots. The teen’s death ignited outrage and civil unrest, starting in his Parisian neighborhood before spreading like wildfire across France. The damage has been immense, with buildings and stores razed, and the financial toll is already likely in the billions.
As the nation convulsed, French President Emmanuel Macron was widely criticized for his perceived indifference. He was caught partying at a concert as France burned. His actions highlighted a governing class increasingly out of touch with its citizenry.
Amid the unrest, French citizens took to the streets to safeguard their homes and businesses, stepping into a void left by police unable to contain the violence. This standoff seems destined to escalate, largely obscured from international view, as Macron has heavily curtailed internet access to stem the flow of information and potential government embarrassment.
The core of the issue is rooted in a failure to assimilate immigrants, predominantly from the Middle East and Africa, into French society. Rather than addressing these issues, the French government seems more focused on advancing a globalist agenda, prioritizing international issues over domestic harmony.
Such concerns sound eerily familiar to many Americans. Our current administration’s leniency on border control and its propagation of doctrines undermining traditional American values echo the same societal discontentment brewing across the Atlantic. This failure to prioritize national unity and security could herald a similar discord in the United States.
Despite the fraught political environment, the spirit of the French citizenry is reminiscent of the historical ties between the U.S. and France. Drawing parallels with French patriots like Marquis de Lafayette, who allied with Washington in the fight for American liberty, O’Neill states, “French patriots, your fight is ours, too — for liberty, brotherhood and equality. We stand with you. We are here.”
Yet, President Macron’s solution to quell the unrest thus far seems inadequate. Calling for “order, calm, unity” and promising to work on the “deep causes” of the riots, Macron is yet to elaborate on what these causes are. Instead, he blames social networks like TikTok and Snapchat, along with the parents of the rioters, for amplifying the violence.
French MPs are backing his sentiment, calling for restrictions on the Chinese app TikTok, accused of disseminating damaging influences on French youth and exacerbating the riots.
As the situation evolves, we Americans must observe, learn, and, most importantly, act on our societies’ shared problems. As O’Neill rightfully warns, these issues “destabilizing America, too,” require our earnest attention to prevent similar eruptions at home. We must prioritize national unity and security, cherish our historic values, and focus on assimilation and harmony within our diverse society.
