Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Rioting

To everyone:

I am fine. I have not heard hardly anything about the rioting. I returned form England on Sunday and didn't know anything about it until my Mum called, worried of course. I think there has been a little bit of trouble in Lyon actually but I have seen nothing. I live in one of the nicest, if not the nicest, areas of Lyon and it has all been very normal.
Apparently there have been incidents in Place de Terreaux which is slightly north and across the river from me and in Venissiseux (south Lyon). Venissiseux is location of the first Youth Hostel that I stayed in and hated! I suspected it was not a good area and now it is confirmed!

I was trying to explain to my Mum that rioting over here is more common in my opinion. The French are very good at rioting and strikes and do both with a higher frequency then in Australia and America I think. When the French want something they do something about it. In the riots of Mai 1968, French students rioted over the arrests of other students/heavy handedness of police and brought the country to a standstill. The students involved the teachers and workers unions and rioted until dawn on May 10th, 1968. Burning cars, throwing paving stones and hundreds of arrests and injuries. 1 miilion people marched in the streets in protest and a week later
ten million, or roughly two-thirds of the French workforce was on strike. They would never put up with the education reforms currently occuring in Australian Universities. So it is in France's history to riot. (More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mai_68)

Another problem it seems is the government’s lack of solution for this problem. Nothing is being done so the rioting continues. No promises are being made to the rioters, not that the government should succumb to rioting pressure but there is a huge social issue at hand that requires attention and has for sometime. The Immigrant population makes up a huge percentage of the poor in France and to be honest France doesn’t seem to have many programs, opportunities or aid. They are ignored and the anger currently being expressed has been simmering for decades. There is a huge unemployment rate here (30% of people 21-29 unemployed) and a lot of beggars on the streets. The areas affected by the rioting are the poor areas. Basically, the rioters are poor and victims of discrimination who are burning, well everything (cars, buses, schools) and lashing out (especially at authority figures who they resent due to the treatment they have received and lack of respect). They are not specifically targeting rich areas, property or people as far as I know. A interior minister, Mr Sarkozy, called the youth 'scum' and pledged a 'war without mercy' against them (apparently to get attention as he is keen to be the next president) but unfortunately as you can guess that only made the riots worse and didn't address the issues at hand.

I may go to Aix-Province which is an hour by train (still in France...not leaving again yet!) for the weekend with my French friend Claire, so I won't have to worry there....it's pretty small and supposed to be very nice. In the mean time I am living my life normally and keeping an eye out for anything abnormal. I will not venture into poorer areas as I have no reason to. As we all know I never want to go back to Venissiseux anyway. Never ever, with or without rioting. In fact if Venissiseux was the only place without rioting I don’t know if I would go. Currently, during the evenings my main goals are to get home from uni, find something to eat, get some work done (yes, actually working!), rest (I am avoiding a cold) sort out my life (usually on the computer- still fighting for subject approval with Melbourne University as at the moment my subjects are still unapproved) and/or visit friends so I will not be on the streets.

Never fear my loved ones!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Heya,
Good to hear your ok. Funny thing I was at my parents place and my mum heard about the rioting on tv and the first thing she asked was if you were ok. Fancy that and you guys haven't even met yet. Definately on the to do list. Cara comes to meet the chiavaroli's in geelong and eats lots of yummy food.
Ciao Ciao,
Lisa.

P.S: so glad to hear your safe and well. Oh hey, Could you check your email cos I need to arrange some meet up dates with you for dec/jan.

Anonymous said...

thank goodness my lovely,

i have been very concerned about you the last couple of daysand I agree that it is in France's nature to riot, I've actually studied the subject, sometimes I surprise myself with my level of nerdness.

I am fully aware that your 21st birthday is rapidly approaching and you should receive something in the mail in the coming week or so. If i don't forget with all of this exam stressing. My last exam is tomorrow and are still procrastinating. I really do surprise myself sometimes.

Talk soon my beautiful

Claire

Anonymous said...

well miss cara, i finally made it to see your journal! its exciting to read about all your experiences girlie, hope your having a blast! all goes well here, just workin back at the old design shoppe for the holidays, partyin as i can and just bein me. keep in touch though, and if you get a chance, check out MY online profile. its www.myspace.com/ginasophia23

Anonymous said...

Hi Cara,

Rioting is indeed a national sport in France for any community who wants to get something without working for it. I don't think Aussies risk much, but keep away from the fires anyway.

I like this way you have to discover France and the world.

Bye.
Michel

Anonymous said...

Hi Cara,
I'm so glad you are safe. This whole riot experience in France must be sparking some interesting discussions about how France is dealing with it's immigrant population. The US has struggled with it's rioting poor over the year. Hopefully it has led to many reforms. I remember the Watts riot in LA when I was a kid, seeing tanks through the street of LA. It will be interesting to see how France deals with the problem....not so well so far, it appears. Luckily France has strick gun control and a history of restraint of it's police force....wish we could learn that lesson in the US.

Anyway, stay safe and keep having fun...and keep blogging!

I'm happy you liked the photo of Chichen Itza near Cancun.

Lew

Anonymous said...

I forwarded your email to Christopher. So glad to receive the good news from you. You are the only person I know in France and was quite concerned. I hope things start to slow down soon. Keep safe.

Love,
Debbra