What does or should it mean to be a “true Frenchman”? It isn’t any one thing, but it’s a constellation of things, beliefs, and attitudes, certainties and uncertainties, born of knowledge of and intelligent affection for a particular place called France, and a particular people called French. There are no bright lines to define the “True Frenchman.” One needs to know a certain amount of French history. How much? That’s not possible to say. But if someone lives in France, but knows nothing of, and takes no interest in, and may even be irremediably hostile to, that country’s political and intellectual history, knows nothing or very little about Catholicism and the Gallican Church, about the Huguenots and the Wars of Religion, about the Divine Right of Kings, about the Court of Louis XIV, about the 18th century Enlightenment, the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, Louis Philippe, the Paris Commune, about France in the two World Wars, the German Occupation, the Resistance, about French Colonialism and de-colonialism, about France as a member of the E.U. — then can that person be considered “a true Frenchman”? Probably not, even though we have not and can not specify any particular amount of knowledge that would qualify someone to be considered a “Frenchman.”
But what would one think of someone who, though he had spent his life in France, spoke and read only Arabic, knew nothing of French history and had no desire to learn about it, despised and dismissed French culture as “decadent,” rejected the French political system as elevating man-made laws over the Sharia, and believed, as the Qur’an teaches, that the French people among whom he lived were “the most vile of creatures,” while Muslims like himself were “the best of peoples”? Such a person is “French” only in a formal sense: he lives in France, and may even have obtained a French passport. But is he “French” in any larger and more meaningful sense?
A “true Frenchman” needs to know the French language, at least enough to understand and be understood in that tongue. He cannot exist stranded on a linguistic island. Some familiarity with French literature, French art, French music, French philosophy and political theory — these are the main components of a French cultural identity. A “true Frenchman” ought to possess some knowledge of the main currents of French intellectual life. The rights of the individual, including those of freedom of speech (as the criticism of Muhammad) and freedom of conscience (which protects those who want to change their religion either for another, or for no faith at all) must be both understood and accepted by the “true Frenchman.”
There is no particular amount of such knowledge that makes one a “true Frenchman,” but a complete absence of such knowledge makes it harder for someone to claim to be “French” in any meaningful sense. A person who lives in France but takes no interest in, or is hostile to, French history and French culture, who has no interest in the art, music, literature, history, religious beliefs, or politics of France, even while living on French soil, is not a “true Frenchman,” while someone who takes some interest in at least some aspects of French civilization, and is not irremediably hostile to France and the indigenous French, has that possibility.
Macron has chosen not to discuss, much less to offer tentative guidelines, as I’ve just done, as to what would adequately define a “true Frenchman.” He simply wants to avoid the issue altogether, in the most simple-minded of ways: by denying the possible existence of a “true Frenchman.” If there is no such thing as a “true Frenchmen,” then everyone in France can be French, and there is no need to wonder about how to “integrate” Muslims into a French identity that no longer exists. Muslims in France are already almost as French as they need to be, in Macron’s rosy view, and the only problem, for Macron, is making sure that “foreign states” do not build and maintain mosques in France, or train and pay for French imams. He does not see the problem as one of an ideology, Islam, irredeemably hostile to what makes France France. Instead, he sees a problem only of foreign states paying for mosques and imams in France, and thereby encouraging “extremism” — an “extremism” which Emmanuel Macron has never dared to define, much less try to distinguish from orthodox Islam. His focus, as stated months ago, is on building French Muslim organizations that will train imams inside France, and on mosques that will be built and maintained by the French state, and imams paid government salaries, using revenues from taxes on halal products and on pilgrimages to Mecca.
Macron’s attempt to deny a “French identity” and the possibly of a “true Frenchman” has not won him any friends in France. Many French intellectuals — including large numbers on the left — have denounced this absurd claim. The French — if not Macron himself — are proud of being French. They do not dismiss this identity, but glory in it. Nor did Muslims in France express any particular satisfaction in Macron’s claim that a “true Frenchman” does not exist. They will pocket any concession or surrender, but offer nothing in return.
Macron might have simply said something much more interesting and provoking of thought: a tentative discussion of what kinds of knowledge and affection (linguistic, cultural, historical, political) contribute to the creation of a “French identity” — never mind a “true Frenchman.” He could have wondered aloud if there was any irreducible pemmican of knowledge that should be considered essential to such a definition. That would further discussion, rather than shut it down. And he could have asked, too, if those who are taught to despise the Infidels (“vile creatures”) and all their works, who don’t know and don’t want to find out about, and are irremediably hostile to, French history and French culture, are for those very reasons not likely to attain a “French identity,” much less become “true Frenchmen,” under any definition. That, of course, is something Macron, and all the little macrons of this world, cannot possibly allow themselves to recognize.
Dwight Hogg says
There are numerous countries waking up to the reality that Muslims are irredeemably hostile to Western values and are now taking the first step and banning the niquab. The people of Europe are fed up with the self-ghettoizing Muslims and their hostility to Western values. (How the issue of all the Muslim rape gangs hasn’t created world outrage I am beyond flabbergasted.) Thousands of children being raped and terrorized by Muslims is a reality and in a sane world our leaders would be outraged and on the front lines combatting these atrocities. Pathetic self-subjugation of our politicians to the evil cult of Islam is a reality no sane person can escape. Wherever there are Muslims there is violence, hatred and slaughter. Muslims can’t even get along with each other – Shia vs Sunni and Hamas vs the PA. Saudi Arabia and Iran blatant sponsors of terrorism.
Westman says
“They will pocket any concession or surrender, but offer nothing in return.”
This is exactly the cultural contribution and self-imposed isolation of Islam in the West.
Macron believes he sees Islam clearly while looking through a blackened porthole; only seeing the outline of an armada which he thinks is commerce when in reality it is an invading army. How many fired cannons and lost crew will cause him to open the porthole for a clearer view?
b.a. freeman says
How many fired cannons and lost crew will cause him to open the porthole for a clearer view?
—
excellent question, but not one that mr. macron even acknowledges as legitimate. the answer is “none,” or “all of them.” he has cut out the porthole and replaced it with a armor plate, and thinks that he is safe.
Garfield says
He’s a Jesuit so none of this is surprising. The jesuit collaboration with Nazis (look up Croatian Ustachi) was horrific.
dan christenen says
Sometimes I wondered why certain Frenchmen were called “frogs”. After experiencing Macron on the loose, I no longer wonder.
Strangerinastrangeland says
It’s because they ate frog legs which gagged off the English.
Strangerinastrangeland says
Macron will soon be dust. A new Charles the Hammer awaits the Muslims in Tours. It will not be pretty.
dan christenen says
The new Charles the Hammer is most likely receiving the caravan of Muslim Victims in Tours with a sign saying “Welcome refugees”, because his hammerhead was made in China of soft rubber material; approved by the EU commision for protecting the external EU borders against intruding victims.
IanB says
Thank you Hugh FitzGerald for another superb article.
Your razor sharp logic eviscerates Macron’s foolishness.
gravenimage says
+1
mortimer says
Macron is the mouthpiece of the Globalist Church. Macron’s sermons are crafted to spread the AUTHORIZED ‘gospel of post-nationalism’.
Macron is staying ON SCRIPT to an incredible degree. Macron is a good boy. The 1% must love him.
Garfield says
+1
James Lincoln says
Does Macron considers himself to be a true Frenchman?
If not, why is he leading France?
CogitoErgoSum says
Perhaps Macron feels that a true Frenchman is one who submits (doesn’t matter to what).
David M says
The French reputation as surrender monkeys is only increasing.
Benedict says
Political leaders who import and facilitate fifth columns in their country can’t be true to anything. But maybe they are willfully ignorant and don’t know what they are doing?
lisalles says
Shocking. How did this guy get elected? He beat out the the populist party, the national front who was more logical. I wonder if the election was fixed for macron to win? Voter fraud?? The french will pay for this error. Really sad. The new refugees will soon be the french.
Agostino Armo Pellegrini says
That above pic makes Macron look like a one-eyed pirate, and in a way he is, robbing his people and nation of its peace and freedoms for islam. These pandering idiot leaders want to redefine what it means to be “French” or “German” or “British” and allow muslims to turn us into a backwater for islam. Why, of course we can absorb FGM and mass rape and terrorism into our culture, we’re that eclectic! Of course we can suppress free speech and individual liberty for barbaric religious intolerance, we’re that tolerant! And of course we can allow islam’s homophobia and antisemitism, cuz after all who needs Jews or gays anyway! that’s their message with every groveling word they speak. We’ll all still be French and German and British, but in the same way a coward knows their own weak self for a bully.
Listen you lying feckless fools, we were not born to be slaves to a demon. You aren’t fooling us with your superficial rhetoric for islam, we know you’re scumbags pining for votes and power. If you can’t have courage for what is good and right then please do the world a favor and step down. Your resignation will be a great benefit to the suffering and murdered for islam. Muhammad was a filthy c*nt not worthy of respect, and the bigoted sh*t he taught was from his own evil nature, not from a loving humanitarian god. And if you think for one god-damned minute that we decent people are going to sit by while you throw away everything good in our lives for islam then you are in for a big surprise. The world is rising up against the evils of that sick “religion” in all its manifestations. Enjoy your short lived success while you can. In the end we’ll win. I’m corny, I believe in the power of good to overcome evil. But it won’t come with obsequious conciliations and groveling. It will come with an unyielding dedication to truth, freedom, and a genuine concern for human rights. I know that’s language you can’t understand, dear leaders, so please step down and let those who do understand to take your place and do what needs to be done. Thanks in advance.
Thanks Hugh Fitzgerald for that meticulous and thoughtful essay. Your conclusion in the last paragraph, or what I perceive to be the conclusion, is that muslims can’t attain a French identity if they follow the dictates of islam and despise us “infidels.” This is commonsense that’s hard to deny. I think that Bible saying is true, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other… Muslims cannot be dedicated to a god that wants religious supremacy over the rights and freedoms of others but still be for the rights and freedoms of others. I’m just an average intellect, but I can see all too clearly the truth of what you say. I know the power of religion to control the mind, islam is not a force for good in the world. There is a religious tsunami of the fanatical kind headed our way, doubters need to embrace the truth you speak or risk jeopardizing their own safety and ours. It’s not only about them, we all suffer. And I got to tell you, I got a problem with that.
will williams says
Blame the gutless French for ignoring the mass invasion,just like us in Britain.The voters want good times and dont want to rock the boat. THESE are the people who are destroying Europe.
b.a. freeman says
+1
James Lincoln says
Agostino,
You are wrong about one thing – you are actually an above average intellect.
Garfield says
Excellent post!
Elisha says
“But what would one think of someone who, though he had spent his life in France, spoke and read only Arabic, knew nothing of French history and had no desire to learn about it, despised and dismissed French culture as “decadent,” …”
You should take some of your own advice, Hugh, and “get to know” what underpins Western civilization, that being Christianity. To know truth requires the courage and humility to seek truth. Just ask Simon Greenleaf, Sir William Ramsay, James Warner Wallace, Lee Strobel, et al.
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. – Psalm 145:18
b.a. freeman says
Elisha, U are right in the end, but in the heat of battle, it is best to focus on fighting the common enemy, and postpone witness (especially when we get aggressive, as i am prone to do) until afterwards. note that i consider the most important part of the battle for we believers is to spend time with Him on our knees in prayer. once peace and common sense are restored (and all the murdered victims of islam and the left have been memorialized), we can return to our knees and pray for, and humbly make ourselves available to, those who are lost. most people who were either educated (not so many of those left, as they’re even older than i am) or who educated themselves (the group from which i come) understand that most of what is good about our culture comes from our judeo-christian heritage, whether or not they are christian. that’s a good enough base from which to start, as even atheists like i was can be reached by the Holy Spirit.
gravenimage says
I see that–again–Elisha has nothing negative to say about the scourge of Islam, but is just attacking staunch Anti-Jihadist Hugh Fitzgerald again. He has done this across at least five separate threads now, including appalling false claims that Fitzgerald is incapable of being decent and moral because he does not belong to whatever sect Elisha does.
We *all* need to stand together against the terrible threat of Islam.
gravenimage says
Hugh Fitzgerald: Emmanuel Macron, “true Frenchmen,” and the “Islam of France” (Part Two)
………………
Macron stands against civilized French values–sneering at the idea that they exist at all.
Patrick Greenrod says
Thank you Hugh; such helpful commentary for people, like me, who don’t yet understand as much as we need to about Islam…
gravenimage says
+1
J.W.K. says
Macron is a horse’s patootie
J.W.K. says
Macron is a French speaking HORSE’S PATOOTIE.