HispanicVista Columnists

By Hector M. Barajas
November 28, 2005

Reflecting on the situation in France, I am reminded that people in glass houses should not throw stones.
France has been shaken by a torrent of violence that erupted when two teenagers of African origin were accidentally electrocuted after taking refuge in a relay station of a high voltage transformer while apparently fleeing from local authorities. The incident led to two weeks of violence and rioting by a class of disenfranchised French-born citizens who face a 50% unemployment rate and live in ghettos throughout France. French police say that almost 2,900 people were arrested, close to 9,000 cars were burned, and damages are estimated at $230 million.

In the aftermath of the attacks of September 11 and the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Bush administration has been bombarded with criticism from the French media, not to mention both liberal talk radio hosts and the Democratic Party. These media outlets made the same claim - this nation was powerless and inept in its handling of these tragedies and that the government of the United States failed to address the substantive issues that contributed to these events.

It is far easier to criticize than it is to lead. The past four years have dramatically changed the role of the United States and its perception in and of the world. We have gone from a nation relatively detached from the impact of international terrorist activities to the primary target. We have faced a series of natural disasters that is without historical peer. The lives of Americans have been dramatically altered and we must choose the type of leader we wish to be in the world. Fundamentally, this is the role of a president - principled-leadership rather than expedient-leadership. Through it all, President Bush remained true to his ideals, steadfast to his commitments and firm in his resolve.

France’s recent experiences have exposed an underlying class structure that most have never seen before. France now faces accusations of racism, discrimination and intolerance that seem out of line with the images it portrays of itself and more in line with how they have tried to portray the United States.

Why has it taken riots throughout France to bring Chirac’s attention to the issue of racism and intolerance among France’s lower class? Why has Chirac failed to address alleged racist attitudes among French police officers? How could a civilized nation like France allow its people to live in unsafe and decrepit conditions? Why does there seem to be a systemic problem with racism that no one in France is willing to address?

And, as I hurl back the same questions Chirac has asked the US people, I wonder how many of the glass walls he’s shattered in the face of his new reality?

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Hector M. Barajas is the Deputy Political Director of the California Republican Party