Insidious racism

[Godless Dave]

Back when France enacted the ban on headscarves and yarmulkas (but not small crosses) in public schools and by public employees at work, it occurred to me that mainstream French society has done such a good job convincing themselves the ideals of the Enlightenment and Revolution had all but eliminated racism and Christian supremacy in the Republic that they couldn't see that it was still there, hiding under the surface. I think the riots going on now may force some white Frenchmen of Christian heritage to confront the attitudes they'd like to think they don't have.

I'm familiar with this feeling. I've lived my whole life in the northern United States. When I was younger I couldn't understand why so many black Americans chose to live in the ex-Confederacy. Eventually I figured out that maybe it's easier to live with the over racists because at least you know who they are; they're the ones wearing the white hoods and calling you names. Up here the racists will smile at you and shake your hand while telling you they gave the job to someone else. When people are successful at hiding their prejudices from others they soon learn to hide them from themselves.