The French Are Aroused

For John, BLUF:  The French have a several hundred year tradition of "Liberté, égalité, fraternité", which is a delicate balance,  Now radical ideas from the United States threaten to overthrow the balance.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Will American Ideas Tear France Apart? Some Think So.

Here is the sub-headline:

Politicians and prominent intellectuals say social theories from the United States on race, gender and post-colonialism are a threat to French identity and the French republic.

From The Old Gray Lady, by By Norimitsu Onishi, 9 February 2021 Updated 9:38 a.m. ET.

Actually, I caught this at a Tweet by Reporter Glenn Greenwald.  I have dropped off of Twitter, but that doesn't mean I won't check out a tweet recommended by someone I trust.

Here is the tweet:

Glenn Greenwald  @ggreenwald  ·  49m
Obama-endorsed French President Emmanuel Macron has joined numerous French intellectuals & journalists in warning that "out-of-control woke leftism of US campuses and its attendant cancel culture" poses a grave threat due to the social strife it creates:

Here is the article lede, plus three:

The threat is said to be existential.  It fuels secessionism.  Gnaws at national unity.  Abets Islamism.  Attacks France’s intellectual and cultural heritage.

The threat?  "Certain social science theories entirely imported from the United States," said President Emmanuel Macron.

French politicians, high-profile intellectuals and journalists are warning that progressive American ideas — specifically on race, gender, post-colonialism — are undermining their society.  "There’s a battle to wage against an intellectual matrix from American universities," warned Mr. Macron’s education minister.

Emboldened by these comments, prominent intellectuals have banded together against what they regard as contamination by the out-of-control woke leftism of American campuses and its attendant cancel culture.

It is unusual for the French to be concerned about Americans having radical ideas.  It is usually the other way around.  I would think it would cause all those bien-pensant Democrats to pause and take stock.  But, not today.  Today is about ridding of kingdom of that troublesome Developer.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff