France, the Burkini and the presidential elections...
An Australian anticapitalist newspaper asked me for an article on the racist farce being played out in France... this is what I came up with. “Beach secularism” fuels racism in France: a fightback is needed! From French politics being a source of tremendous inspiration three months ago, as millions joined the inventive and powerful battles against a vicious Labour law, it has now become a source of anger and incomprehension around the world. Photos of armed French police ordering a French Muslim woman to remove her clothing on a Mediterranean beach caused shock waves internationally this week, and several French embassies saw protest rallies on their doorsteps against the bans on Muslim full body swimsuits (so-called “burkinis”). How did we get to this low point in France and what fightback is likely? Mayors of two dozen towns in France have now passed local bye laws restricting what clothes may be worn on the beach. They are aimed at Muslim women, though do not have the honesty to sa...