Why is it ok?

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

This isn't meant to be a debate, it's just something I've noticed and I'm having a hard time understanding the reasoning behind it.

Why is it ok to bash an entire country because of the views of their government. Mainly I'm speaking of France.

On a personal level, I'm getting really tired of explaining to my children why some people hate them because they're French (and American) DS has had comments made to him because he's half French, trying to explain it to a seven year old is nearly impossible. Even he understands that you don't hate someone based on the color of their skin, religion, country of origin, and a lot more. But he ends up dealing with some ignorant person who thinks they know all about France and it's people based on the actions of their government. The kids don't get how someone could hate their Uncles, Aunt, Cousins, and countless other relatives just because they live in France. Either do I for that matter.

As an aside, it seems most people dislike the French because they weren't behind us on the war on Iraq. France wasn't the only country against it, why are they singled out??

It also seems that people get upset when someone is against the US due to the political views of our government but they'll do the same thing to someone else.

I hope this makes sense, I'm probably overly sensitive but I'm raising two (soon to be three) kids who are very aware of their heritage. They are the first generation in DH's family to be born outside of France.

 

[ilovepcot]

It's not okay!

 

[hockeymom7691]

Bottom line is because some people are just plain ignorant (IMHO)

It's hard for us to understand let alone kids.
My son gets harrassed everyday because he is different (wears hearing aides).


It's very sad.

 

[piglet too]

No, it is not OK. I am sorry that you, and your kids are having to deal with this. I can not even begin to try and comprehend why some people are just ignorant like that.

 

[Aimeedyan]

IGNORANCE.

I actually refused to eat fries anywhere that called them Freedom Fries when that whole thing was going on... it's all ludicrous.

Sorry your family is being affected by it. =(

 

[palmtreegirl]

IGNORANCE.

I actually refused to eat fries anywhere that called them Freedom Fries when that whole thing was going on... it's all ludicrous.

As far as people renaming french fries............... What a bunch of fools.

I'm sorry your kids are the victims of other peoples ignorance.

 

[Sirius]

I don't get it either.

 

[helenabear]

As many other have said, it is not okay... I was ridiculed by some for some of my thoughts about the war... that was bad but I couldn't even begin to imagine what your kids are going through. I am so sorry

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Some people are just dumb.

I'm sorry your children are going through this.

 

[LauraR]

You're absolutely right. Even if I didn't agree with some of the political decisions France made I would never take it out on the people of France or people of French heritage. ESPECIALLY a child. I think France is a lovely country, and when I traveled there I found the people very courteous. Nobody ever attacked me for my country's policies, even in Paris (where I met none of their famed rude waiters, either!) Besides who could dislike a country that produces such amazing cheeses and pastries?!

Tolerance should be a core American value; too bad everyone doesn't practice it.

Tell your DS that there are lots of Americans who think France is great, too (count me in)!

 

[holycow]

I know this must be so difficult to you but in the grand scheme of things we can apply this to many different things....for example my husband is obese...and yet why do people think it is their right to tell him so and to make jokes about him? or the example of the poster whose son wears hearing aids...

I could go on and on with various other examples...our children were blessed with a wonderful principle in their elementary school years he told the children that the people who have to belittle and bully are the ones with the problems...they are the ones with the low self esteems.

Good luck to you I can only imagine how difficult it must be trying to explain to them...

Holycow

 

[faithinkarma]

It is shameful. One can only hope that an offender might see this thread and realize how hurtful it can be.

 

[Winka]

Yes, ignorance.

It's absolutely loathsome. It's hard to stand up against such bullying.......{hugs} to your kids.

I hope they will continue to treasure the extraordinary aspects of their French heritage.

 

[castlegazer]

I absolutely don't think its OK! I personally love France and the people therein. I spent most of my school years studying France. But please also remember tha the French have a history of being quite racist against the Arabs in their country - just study Le Pen. Racism of any type should not be tolerated. I eat French Fries!

 

[missypie]

This thing with France is different and, in my mind, more disturbing. We all know that there are ignorant people who make idiotic broad generalizations (e.g. "All [fill in group] are criminals." "All [fill in group] are dirty.", etc.)

But I think the deal with France is misplaced hyperpatriotism and several very intelligent people I know have jumped on (and stayed on) this France bashing bandwagon. It's a cowboy mentality ("If you ain't fer us, you're agin us") perpetuated by our Cowboy in Chief.

For some reason, people who would never ever say anything negative about minority groups feel comfortable bashing France. It's a strange mentality in our country right now. Why MUST everyone agree with us? Why MUST everything be done our way? Why do WE get to decide who can have what type of weapons?

Okay, I'll stop my vent or we'll be bumped to the debate board.

 

[CEDmom]

I'm so sorry your children are being picked on. It's amazing the amount of ignorance in this world. Most of the conflicts in the world today are a result of ignorance and intolerance.

I kind of understand the situation you're in. Our DD is Chinese and I find myself much more aware of things people say good or bad about Asians.

 

[snoopy]

But I think the deal with France is misplaced hyperpatriotism and several very intelligent people I know have jumped on (and stayed on) this France bashing bandwagon. It's a cowboy mentality ("If you ain't fer us, you're agin us") perpetuated by our Cowboy in Chief.

Yup! Scary, isn't it?

 

[faithinkarma]

Originally posted by snoopy
Yup! Scary, isn't it?

Even scarier is just how many people have bought into that theory. Let's face it, it became PC to criticize all things French. And apparently has not stopped short of making children targets.

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

Originally posted by faithinkarma
It is shameful. One can only hope that an offender might see this thread and realize how hurtful it can be.

Mostly what started it was him telling me how a kid was making fun of him at school yesterday because he's French. He's in 1st grade for crying out loud!

Apparently the kid who started making fun of him started because he heard DH talking to the kids in French.

But I've noticed comments in a lot of places and it's finally starting to get to me!

 

[faithinkarma]

That is so sad. That other child has to have learned such behavior at home. I'm surprised a kid that age would even recognize French.