Of course, there was a lot of media coverage, perhaps too much. Without them and social networks, the «gilets jaunes» would probably not even have existed as a movement. But it's now part of history. For better and for worse.
The «yellow vests» have the merit of asking an essential question: that of the place of peripheral regions in the concerns of the French government. But also, more broadly, the fate of the losers of globalization, in France as elsewhere.
The great flaw in this movement is precisely that they don't practice the question form. Their weapon is violence. Or, at least, demonstrations, because we must distinguish from «gilets jaunes» the casseurs who pass themselves off as «gilets jaunes» .
They are responsible for unacceptable acts. The damage caused to the Arc de Triomphe, in particular, speaks volumes about the crass inculture of the generation taking to the streets in 2018. These are no longer the students of May 68: they're rednecks.
But the powers that be had forgotten about the rednecks. And it's to the credit of Johnny's France that it's showing its politicians that it exists too. It's not just the well-off bobos on one side and the poor immigrants from the suburbs on the other.
Let's hope, however, that French-style rebellion will give way to constructive dialogue. Shouting is one thing, playing politics is another.
One thing's for sure: the reaction of some politicians is indecent. France insoumise or the RN in particular, who take advantage of events to claim to be the spokespersons for these demonstrators, have failed to understand that their deepest and most legitimate cry is directed against this world.
Write to the author : jonas.follonier@leregardlibre.com
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