La grève en France

Today is a major strike day in France. For those who don't know, French president Nicholas Sarkozy has made reforms to the retirement system in France. In short:

-the national retirement age has changed from 60 to 62, AND

-you must have worked 40.5 years

-you cannot touch your retirement money until you are 68.

On top of this, previous benefits (like being able to retire earlier if you have three or more children) have been neglected.

French striking is seen in the states and in many other places as over-done. We often hear about violence that breaks out (fires, vandalism to cars and buildings), but what is neglected is how the French view strikes and demonstrations.

Today millions of French people have taken to the streets in demonstration and will be on strike from work. It is unlikely that any violence will occur, and if so that will happen in only a few large cities where violence is already standard (and thus vandalism and violence would normally occur in any case, but is now redirected towards the strike movement). There are many reasons the French organize in this way.

Of course, there is the obvious, "Woohoo! Free day from work!" But seeing as they are not paid for this work day, that is not always an advantage as those who go to the office actually do very little work (because there are no clients and no one else there with whom to work) so they are paid to sit around.

Largely it is the fact of speaking out. All strikes and demonstrations must be registered with the city halls and thus are well-thought and planned. The city closes streets to allow a peaceful, undisturbed way for protesters to pass which could be seen as understood in the people's right to speech and assembly.

October 2 I walked with the protesters of Lannion in their demonstration that was again concerning retirement. While I was there more for the experience and felt a bit silly just strolling along in a mass of people, I could tell to others this was their civic duty. Protesting against reforms, laws, and statements made by the government is as essential to the French citizen as voting for the president (as well as many lower level officials that are often ignored or overlooked in the states).

The fact that my colleagues in their 50s take to the streets alongside my students who are 15 amazes me, and even if the American in me still questions if protests, parades, and strikes do much good, I appreciate and admire their involvement and self-respect.

Rather than criticizing the French for their "radicalism," Americans should be looking to them as an example of political activism and involvement. The political apathy that is evident in American society is cyclic and will not end without a revolution in our mentalities. The tea party protests of 2009 and 2010 have been an unusual display of activism that should continue through all ideologies, parties, age groups, and concerning all levels of government.