If you've been reading the news lately, you may have noticed a few little articles on the strikes going on in France. The government is upping the retirement age from 60 to 62. The news, especially the American press, makes it seem like it is practically impossible to step out of your door without running into a mob of angry French people.
However, while it's hard to miss the demonstrations entirely, they don't necessarily play a big role in your day : sometimes the metro runs only one out of two trains; once in a while you run into marches of your fellow students or what have you; you will regularly read signs posted around your school emblazoned with messages like "Even your grandma is going on strike"; one time, you may find yourself surrounded by music-making chanters in the metro; your teacher may be forty-five minutes late to class, or, if you're really (un)lucky, you may not have class at all.
In addition to being avoidable to a certain degree, I have been gently commanded to steer clear of the strikes. As a representative of Good Old Georgetown, I'm not really allowed to be involved in all the hoopla, as evidenced by the following excerpt from an email from the Office of International Programs:
"While these are typically peaceful, the events of the past few days have shown that violence may erupt unexpectedly. It is for this reason that the Georgetown Conditions of Participation prohibit active participation in any political activities while you are abroad. We can appreciate that you may want to experience this unique element of French culture firsthand, but when emotions run high, there is strong a possibility that some people (protesters and police alike) may get out of hand. So, please limit any involvement to passive observation from afar."
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| Passively observing from afar. That face is all bravado. |
That's okay though. The French got it under control; they don't need my help. Whatever you think of the wisdom or lack thereof of this strike, you've got to admire the French ability to organize and mobilize.
Damn the Man,
Maria
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