As a long-time feminist with a history of advocacy on gender equality in the United States, I continue to be attracted to gender issues, with a particular focus on comparing the nature of gender activism in different settings. In this commentary, I would like to address a series of very localized examples of a gender perspective in the French community of Grasse. It starts with some observations about gender balancing in the municipal elections and continues with reflections on a uniquely French look at “Matrimoine” in Grasse and on a broader overview of gender struggles featuring French feminists and others. Continue reading “Gender Parity, Matrimoine and Historic Gender Struggles in France”
A Melancholy Reflection on Race and Religion in France
In this time of COVID-anxiety, we’re among the fortunate ones in that the losses that we grieve have all been due to natural causes other than COVID-19 – if one can describe that as a fortunate sort of dichotomy, especially since so many of these losses are of family or friends younger than we are. But even the older ones whose demise might not be so tragic were it not for their historic or political significance have added a melancholy to the environment – John Lewis or Ruth Bader Ginsburg come to mind, both of whom have been memorialized in recent commentaries on this website. But it has been even more traumatic when the world suffers from the police brutality of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis or from the terrorist brutality of Samuel Paty’s murder in a Paris suburb. Continue reading “A Melancholy Reflection on Race and Religion in France”
Municipal Elections in France from the Perspective of an American Observer
This is an essay on the municipal elections in France, not on the COVID-19 hysteria that has taken over our thoughts and deeds for the uncertain future. My focus is on the similarities and differences between municipal elections in France and in the US. I draw on my personal experiences with municipal elections in the US and my personal observations of the municipal campaigns in the town of Grasse. While there are many paths to a political career, and many levels of civic activism, whether in the US or France, the politics at the municipal level highlights the significance of the adage “All politics is local”.
Continue reading “Municipal Elections in France from the Perspective of an American Observer”
Why the US Should Support Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to Head the World Trade Organization
In the current selection process for a new director-general at the World Trade Organization, the United States has vetoed an otherwise consensus-supported candidate Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. I believe it is a mistake for the US to block her selection to this post. It is obvious to me that Ms. Okonjo-Iweala is the far more well qualified candidate and the best choice for leading the WTO in the challenging times we have today.
Reflections on RBG
Ruth Bader Ginsburg has passed away at a time when her loss to the US Supreme Court — and to America – promises to wreak havoc on the American political scene. Rest in peace, dear “notorious” RBG. And deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, law clerks and admirers. She is someone who reached out to and embraced a wide audience. “Fight for the things that you care about,” she said. “But do it in a way,” she emphasized, “that will lead others to join you.” I am among those who benefited and learned from this commitment of hers to both action and inclusiveness.
The Political Lens on COVID-19: Time for Vaccine Multilateralism
The prospects of “vaccine nationalism” are an alarming development for COVID-19. They are aggravated by the looming US-China divide but also by the lack of global leadership from the US for any alternative to it. These aggravations are hurting the potential for the emergence of “vaccine multilateralism”, whether through the World Health Organization (WHO), the G-20 or some other global forum. But one can still identify some countervailing signs from an initiative known as the ACT-Accelerator initiative and its vaccine development pillar. More public awareness needs to be mobilized in support of this initiative – and in support of vaccine multilateralism generally. The message has to be – and can be – that “We’re only safe if we’re all safe”. Continue reading “The Political Lens on COVID-19: Time for Vaccine Multilateralism”
Shared Experiences and Reflections from Family and Friends on Racism
The conversation has begun. It’s not over, and one could also argue that it isn’t really a beginning, either. But one can’t really ignore how the tragic death of George Floyd has altered everything. My own reflections on racism in America and in France are, at least, a new beginning for me. They express a personal dilemma of dissatisfaction with homogeneity – the French call it “universalism” – and yet a greater awareness these days of not knowing what should take its place. It has now become a new and expanding conversation – with friends and family, whose sharing of their own personal experiences and recommendations are included here.
The comments are clustered in three categories – Hagen family members who have shared specific recollections of Minnesota life and culture; Doggett family members who have drawn on their own experiences, many of them global, to share insights and ideas; and close friends from multiple backgrounds who have also shared their perspectives and hopes for the future. At the end are a few personal follow-up remarks but only to keep this conversation going. Here are the selections in the order that they appear:
Hagens Building on Minnesota Experiences
- Deborah Smith
- Elizabeth Hagen Smith
- Janet Hagen
- Camille Rogers
Doggetts Building on Global Experiences
- Kristina Doggett Hagen
- Niko Doggett
- Barbara Maria Doggett
- Tony Doggett
- Elizabeth Davis
- Gina Doggett
- Jeanie Smith
- Carol Doggett Smith
Friends: Experiences and Perspectives
- Ken Jones, WHF 79-80
- Lou Ruch, NC Fambly
- Barbara Ruby, NC Fambly
- Paul Sweeney, WHF 79-80
- Judy Mercado, WHF 79-80
- Daniel Warner, Geneva Network
- Jay Reich, WHF 79-80
Continue reading “Shared Experiences and Reflections from Family and Friends on Racism”
Rest in Peace, John Lewis
It was an impromptu afternoon in April. The US Representative John Lewis and the French President Emmanuel Macron caught everyone by surprise as they showed up unannounced at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, walking leisurely together and chatting over the inscriptions on the walls there. That was in 2018, when the two had instantly warmed to each other on the occasion of President Macron’s address to a joint session of Congress. The spontaneity in their new friendship had led the President to ask Representative Lewis for a tour of the Memorial on that warm springtime afternoon. No wonder, then, that President Macron was so personal in expressing his condolences over the passing of this civil rights icon on July 17. As I reflect on my own memories of John Lewis’ legacy, I am heartened by this connection to President Macron. Continue reading “Rest in Peace, John Lewis”
A Political Lens for COVID-19 Multilateralism: EU Leading a Global Response
This ongoing series of commentaries has been focussing a political lens on how COVID-19 is stimulating the multi-stakeholder dimensions of a changing world order. Emphasis in this series is on three themes: (1) the extent to which global efforts are or are not bringing all key actors together, (2) the apparently deliberate absence of any momentum to create new institutions; and (3) the transformative implications of a growing array of different kinds of stakeholders for any future institution-building. In the past couple of months, there has been useful momentum on all three themes. Here are some reflections on recent developments at the World Health Assembly and the Coronavirus Global Response initiative. However, even as we look forward to yet another milestone event on 27 June 2020, the “final” pledging summit for COVID-19 with a uniquely multi-stakeholder appeal, one must also speak up about the harmfulness of a disintegrating US-China relationship for truly inclusive multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Continue reading “A Political Lens for COVID-19 Multilateralism: EU Leading a Global Response”
Personal Reflections on Racism in America
The televised recycling of the shocking murder of George Floyd confronts us with the challenge of personal responsibility. As American expats living in France, we are grieving this horrifying example of racism in the culture of our home country. The grief draws us to so many other tragedies like it – in isolation but not in inaction. We are working it out in our own minds what to do. In my case, the grief is heightened by my personal knowledge about the place where George Floyd was murdered: Minneapolis. Continue reading “Personal Reflections on Racism in America”