In France, a student union known as UNEF (National Union of Students of France) is a union that actively fights back against racism, discrimination, and misogyny that is systemically built into French institutions. This time government officials are responding to UNEF’s efforts by shunning the decision of UNEF to hold specific meetings exclusively for people of color.
UNEF and its president, Mélanie Luce, are facing intense backlash from French officials for declaring certain meetings “non-white” in hopes of preserving a safe space for people of color to openly engage in conversation about racism that is free of the white gaze. Mélanie Luce is the first non-white president and fifth woman to become president of UNEF which reflects the country's slow but steady transition to be more accepting of intersectionality. UNEF is a left-leaning organization UNEF that is considered to be one of the more progressive unions and for that reason, it has lost membership over the years as leadership positions and union goals have changed.
This is not the only instance where UNEF has held strong viewpoints and opinions that opposed the government’s ideology. In January 2021, students protested against the government’s inability to provide assistance to students in French colleges and universities. For instance, the students demanded action be taken to help relieve the burden of COVID-19 on college students by providing financial, academic, and psychological assistance. This influx of protests and command for change is strongly believed to be linked to the influence of American society and institutions which is openly denounced by French officials.
Audrey Pulvar, a black French politician, commented in an interview on UNEF’s decision to ban white participants in their meeting by stating that white people should be able to attend the meetings, but should stay quiet for the sake of preserving the space. Audrey is a socialist and will be leading the campaign in the approaching regional election. Her statement attacked the fragility of the French’s claim to a colorblind society and attracted backlash from far-right French politicians.
In retaliation to UNEF’s controversial decision, the Senate decided to endorse a bill that would ban the autonomy of groups to discriminate based on race who can attend their meetings or not. This “UNEF amendment” is intended to be added to President Macron’s law against Islamism. Similarly, a government minister labeled UNEF’s exclusive meetings as promoting separatism and a step toward fascism. Several Republican politicians argued that UNEF should be dissolved. Why is this the case? Is this opposition fueled by France’s claim of being a color-blind society or by white fragility?
The truth is that French government officials are fearful of a changing society that demands equity and for the government to acknowledge the racial, political, and social tensions that plague French society. UNEF’s mission of uprooting hierarchical powers is a reflection of the government’s inability to address and adapt to the effects of its own colonial history. In my opinion, UNEF has the right to reserve conversations and meetings about racism exclusively to BIPOC members for the sake of providing a space where no judgement is passed. French officials do not understand that these spaces are necessary for BIPOC to heal and learn from others who also have to coexist amongst systemically racist institutions. White French government officials will never understand that experience and should not be able to regulate meetings that are intended for BIPOC.
In conclusion, I stand with UNEF and their decision to declare certain meetings exclusively for BIPOC. It is no different than sexual abuse survivors who identify as women wanting their support meetings to be exclusive to women. It is time for the French government to stop resisting the social movements that are erupting in France, fearing Western influence, and rise to the challenge of adapting their ideologies to present times.
References:
Al Arabiya English. (2021, March 18). French student Union under fire for ORGANIZING 'non-white' meetings. Retrieved April 06, 2021, from https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2021/03/18/Racism-French-student-union-under-fire-for-organizing-non-white-meetings
Diallo, R. (2021, March 25). Opinion | WHAT France does not understand about racism and safe spaces. Retrieved April 06, 2021, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/03/25/what-france-does-not-understand-about-racism-safe-spaces/
Diffley, A. (2021, March 29). Row over 'non-whites-only' student meetings as campaigning politicians wade in. Retrieved April 06, 2021, from https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20210329-row-over-non-whites-only-student-meetings-as-campaigning-politicians-wade-in-france-racism-identity-politics
Peoples Dispatch. (2021, January 22). Crisis-hit University students protest in France seeking government support. Retrieved April 06, 2021, from https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/01/22/crisis-hit-university-students-protest-in-france-seeking-government-support/
Piser, K. (2018, May 29). Inside France's Growing Identity War. Retrieved April 06, 2021, from https://newrepublic.com/article/148570/inside-frances-growing-identity-war
Onishi, N., & Méheut, C. (2021, April 04). An outspoken student Union positions itself at the vanguard of a CHANGING FRANCE. Retrieved April 06, 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/04/world/europe/france-student-union-unef-racism.html
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