Last but not least: Sarkozy and the riff-raff
Now France has a president who refers to the country's underprivileged youth as "rabble." In fact, because of these words, Sarko has to fear for his safety in poorer suburbs—but it is not only he who is to blame for this; the media worldwide share the responsibility.
France now has a president who refers to his country's underprivileged youth as riff-raff. Indeed, Sarko must fear for his safety in poorer suburbs because of these words, but not only he, but media worldwide are responsible for this.In 2005, Sarkozy probably didn't think twice when he called some of the French youth "racaille" on camera. It is clear that it was not very clever, but what the media made of this statement was even more stupid. Firstly, "racaille" is a common expression in France and secondly, the word was put into Sarkozy's mouth, so to speak.
During a visit to the Parisian suburb of Argenteuil, Sarkozy held several discussions with the population to find out their opinions on how to improve the conditions in which they lived. During the course of the day, the then Minister of the Interior was asked by an old lady when he would rid the people there of the riff-raff. Sarkozy replied with what the media around the world would interpret as a complete exaggeration: "You want us to rid you of this riff-raff? Then we will rid you of it!"
Racaille. The term caused an uproar in the media all over the world. Why? Firstly, the French television channel France 2 deliberately chose this inglorious sequence and deliberately refrained from broadcasting more significant moments in which Sarkozy showed himself from a better side. The outrage was provoked and largely fabricated by the media. Secondly, the translation "scum" in English or "Gesindel" in German is absolutely correct in theory but the meaning given to these words in practice is quite different from "racaille". In fact, the French term is used in a similar way to "crook" or "filou", but it sounds much more casual.
Through their partisanship, the very media that did not want Sarkozy as president may have brought him to the Elysée. Because the politically incorrect fascist quickly became the avenger of the bourgeoisie, partly thanks to this incident...
During a visit to the Parisian suburb of Argenteuil, Sarkozy held several discussions with the population to find out their opinions on how to improve the conditions in which they lived. During the course of the day, the then Minister of the Interior was asked by an old lady when he would rid the people there of the riff-raff. Sarkozy replied with what the media around the world would interpret as a complete exaggeration: "You want us to rid you of this riff-raff? Then we will rid you of it!"
Racaille. The term caused an uproar in the media all over the world. Why? Firstly, the French television channel France 2 deliberately chose this inglorious sequence and deliberately refrained from broadcasting more significant moments in which Sarkozy showed himself from a better side. The outrage was provoked and largely fabricated by the media. Secondly, the translation "scum" in English or "Gesindel" in German is absolutely correct in theory but the meaning given to these words in practice is quite different from "racaille". In fact, the French term is used in a similar way to "crook" or "filou", but it sounds much more casual.
Through their partisanship, the very media that did not want Sarkozy as president may have brought him to the Elysée. Because the politically incorrect fascist quickly became the avenger of the bourgeoisie, partly thanks to this incident...
