Constructing Muslims in France: discourse, public identity, and the politics of citizenship

229 Pages·2014·8.281 MB·English

by  Fredette, Jennifer

Constructing Muslims in France

Constructing
Muslims in France
DISCOURSE, PUBLIC IDENTITY,
AND THE POLITICS OF CITIZENSHIP
Jennifer Fredette
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY PRESS PHILADELPHIA
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122
www.temple.edu/tempress
Copyright © 2014 by Temple University
All rights reserved
Published 2014
Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data
Fredette, Jennifer.
Constructing Muslims in France : discourse, public identity, and
the politics of citizenship / Jennifer Fredette.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-4399-1028-3 (cloth : alk. paper)
ISBN 978-1-4399-1029-0 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN 978-1-4399-1030-6 (e-book)
1. Muslims—France—Social conditions. 2. Muslims—
France—Ethnic identity. 3. France—Ethnic relations. I. Title.
DC34.5.M87F74 2014
305.6'970944—dc23 2013014468
The paper used in this publication meets the requirements of the
American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence
of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48- 1992
Printed in the United States of America
2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3 1
To Matthew, my favorite

Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Abbreviations xiii
1 Introduction: Why Do We Ask Whether Muslims Can Be French? 1
2 E lusive Citizenship: The Consequences of an Undesirable
Public Identity 23
3 C laiming Membership: French Muslim Identities, Political Goals,
and Repertoires of Contention 47
4 E ducation: The (Undelivered?) Promise of Republican Equality 78
5 E mployment: The Muslim Experience in (and out of)
the Workplace 103
6 H ousing: The Banlieues as a Geographic and Socially
Constructed Place 126
7 The Contentious Concept of Frenchness: French Muslims Embracing,
Reimagining, but Not Rejecting the Republican Triad 151
Appendix: Sample Questionnaire 175
Notes 183
References 193
Index 207

Acknowledgments
Ia m indebted to the Political Science Department faculty at the University of
Washington (UW) who offered patient, fair, and tireless readings of my work.
This especially includes Rachel Cichowski, Christine Di Stefano, and Naomi
Murakawa. Their advice about writing and about political science as a profes-
sion has been invaluable. Michael McCann was the primary intellectual force
behind my graduate training. He introduced me to the field of law and society,
where I found an academic “home” for the way I approach research questions
and think about the world. Michael encouraged me to start from observation
rather than theory and had more confidence in me than I did as I departed for
my initial fieldwork (which proved infectious and helpful). Even though Seattle
is now quickly becoming a lovely, damp memory, Michael continues to make
time for my questions, despite being the busiest person I know. Uncannily, he
somehow always knows exactly how to fix whatever research problem I have.
Thanks also go to my colleagues in the Political Science Department at the
State University of New York (SUNY), Albany, who offered support as I fin-
ished the manuscript for this book. I deeply appreciate how the theorists Peter
Breiner, Torrey Shanks, and Mort Schoolman embraced me as a fellow traveler.
They have made my thinking sharper, and I will never tire of going to them for
thoughtful reflections on multiculturalism, postcolonialism, and the public/
private divide. Victor Asal and Sally Friedman were always there to encourage
me, and David Rousseau answered difficult career questions. Eloise and Jean-
François Brière shared with me their time and their expertise on France even
while beset with the now infamous “program deactivation.” Richard Fogarty
encouraged me to ground my thinking about France and difference in a more