As violent riots make headlines around the world, British expat Shakira Peronet shares what life is really like on the streets of Paris. She questions whether politicians are listening to the concerns of young people and asks what Jesus’ example can teach us about justice, protest and the need for change.
It’s funny because people here in Paris aren’t really talking about the riots, but I get at least one text message a day from my friends back in the UK asking if I am OK and if my family and I are safe.
But protests and riots are completely different things. I’ve lived here in Paris for just under six years, and I already feel accustomed to peaceful protests happening on a regular basis. Protests about pensions, protests about pay, protests about salaries – it’s the French way. Don’t agree? Then protest! But of course, 99% of the time, they don’t make it into international news, as there’s nothing dramatic about the protests. Even children and pregnant women join protests. It really is a family affair.
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But this time, the media has decided to focus on a small proportion of people
But this time, the media has decided to focus on a small proportion of people who are using peaceful protests to cause chaos through violence and looting in some of France’s largest cities. It’s a massive distraction from the fact that young people are rightfully protesting for better education, better school conditions and affordable higher education.
There’s a lot of finger-pointing happening about how peaceful protests turned into major riots, with over 3,000 shops and businesses being looted on Saturday 17 October. But this bothers me, as again, the concern is directed towards businesses and buildings rather than the needs being expressed by the young people of France.
People protest when they don’t feel heard. People riot when they feel like they’re being silenced or their concerns haven’t been taken seriously.
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Jesus was a countercultural leader, and that’s exactly what we need here. Someone who will amplify the voices of young people, hear their concerns and make the necessary changes. Right now, politicians are focusing on ending the looting – the focus is on money, not on the needs of the people.
The only way for this to end is for politicians to be humble (crazy thought, I know), take accountability where things have gone wrong and make plans instead of excuses. Once this happens, the protests can stop, and suddenly there will be no cloak for criminals taking advantage of the situation to hide under.
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Matthew 21:12–13 shows us that Jesus cared about justice and was angered when people were corrupt and dishonest within the temple of God.
Matthew 21:12–13 shows us that Jesus cared about justice and was angered when people were corrupt and dishonest within the temple of God. But he never chased political ‘rightness’ over the kingdom of God. Matthew 22:21 says: ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’
Right now, Parisians are experiencing curfews caused by the looting. But what action has been taken in regard to the quality of schooling? Surely we don’t want young people to think that it is only criminal activity that brings about change? If peaceful conversation is not rewarded, young people might take more violent action.
France must answer the question: What do we care about more – buildings and businesses or the next generation of French people?
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