In the twenty-first century, as a result of globalization, major Western European countries have faced serious issues on immigration. Since the World Wars, European nations have sought solutions for labor shortage and low birth rates from immigrants. However, despite the growing influx of immigrants, the lack of governments’ flexibility with immigration policies has resulted in the polarization of the public’s sentiments on immigrants.
The recent incidents of Charlie Hebdo and Kosher supermarket incidents demonstrated that the conflict between the immigrants and the French public is reaching its crux, especially in France. Thus, the failure of immigrants’ efforts to assimilate into the French culture and society has brought questions of whom to blame for the frustration and whether the governmental integration policies are responsible.
Since the French Revolution in 1789, France had developed a surge of nationalism, which brought the emergence of …show more content…
The different racial makeup of French population contributed to the conversation of the “Republican ideal,” which is based on the idea that “there is only one France and people should not subdivide into their separate communities.” (PRI, Talking about race and identity in France) As a result, dual belonging concept, which is used in cultural and racial melting pots such as the United States and Canada, is not acceptable in France. (Migration Policy Institute) The opposition against the dual belonging concept, called “Zero-sum view” caused the French to think “commitment to a minority culture detracts from the quality of one’s commitment to French identity.” (Migration Policy Institute) Thus, the immigrants are facing difficulties adjusting into French culture because there is an inconsistency existing between ‘feeling home in French’ and ‘feeling French.’ (Migration Policy
The recent incidents of Charlie Hebdo and Kosher supermarket incidents demonstrated that the conflict between the immigrants and the French public is reaching its crux, especially in France. Thus, the failure of immigrants’ efforts to assimilate into the French culture and society has brought questions of whom to blame for the frustration and whether the governmental integration policies are responsible.
Since the French Revolution in 1789, France had developed a surge of nationalism, which brought the emergence of …show more content…
The different racial makeup of French population contributed to the conversation of the “Republican ideal,” which is based on the idea that “there is only one France and people should not subdivide into their separate communities.” (PRI, Talking about race and identity in France) As a result, dual belonging concept, which is used in cultural and racial melting pots such as the United States and Canada, is not acceptable in France. (Migration Policy Institute) The opposition against the dual belonging concept, called “Zero-sum view” caused the French to think “commitment to a minority culture detracts from the quality of one’s commitment to French identity.” (Migration Policy Institute) Thus, the immigrants are facing difficulties adjusting into French culture because there is an inconsistency existing between ‘feeling home in French’ and ‘feeling French.’ (Migration Policy