Post by Moses on Jan 2, 2006 20:51:40 GMT -5
Editorial - Get even
Monday, January 2nd, 2006
YOUNG Canadians hardly ever riot -- it is one of their good points. They hardly ever vote, either, and that is not nearly so estimable a characteristic.
In France, the young, having only recently rioted, are now preparing to vote. In November, thousands of young, poor, second-generation immigrants took to the streets in Paris and other cities across the country, burning more than 9,000 cars and 200 public buildings before they returned to their high-rise ghettoes -- the banlieues, as they are called -- and order was restored.
Now those same young, poor, second-generation immigrants are in the streets again. This time, however, they are planning to use a more potent weapon than Molotov cocktails -- the vote. They came out in droves last week, lining up to beat the Dec. 30 deadline to register for the next national election.
Their compelling motive may be revenge -- the opportunity to vote against Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, who in November referred to the rioters as "scum" -- but it appears to be a more sophisticated business than that.
The riots have politicized France's urban poor, made them aware that the range of their voices goes beyond just screams of anger and pain. Mr. Sarkozy's perceived contempt for them is one focus of their newly awakened political minds; another is Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the ultra-right, anti-immigrant and fundamentally racist National Front party who sees no place for them in France: "I want neither Le Pen nor Sarko," said one young woman waiting to register. "I will not let someone else speak for me. We are French above all."
When Canadians go the polls on Jan. 23, it is expected that the turnout of young voters will be sparse. They are disillusioned with the political process, it is said, uninspired by their politicians and tuned only into their personal interests. From the banlieues of Paris comes a message for them. The vote is a powerful weapon. If you don't like things, don't get apathetic, use it to get even.
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