Constructing Muslims in France: Discourse, Public Identity, and the Politics of Citizenship (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781439910290)

The standing of French Muslims is undercut by a predominant and persistent elite public discourse that frames Muslims as failed and incomplete French citizens. This situation fosters the very separations, exclusions, and hierarchies it claims to deplore as Muslims face discrimination in education, housing, and employment. In Constructing Muslims in France, Jennifer Fredette provides a deft empirical analysis to show the political diversity and complicated identity politics of this relatively new population. She examines the public identity of French Muslims and evaluates images in popular media to show how stereotyped notions of racial and religious differences pervade French public discourse. While rights may be a sine qua non for fighting legal and political inequality, Fredette shows that additional tools such as media access are needed to combat social inequality, particularly when it comes in the form of unfavorable discursive frames and public disrespect. Presenting the conflicting views of French national identity, Fredette shows how Muslims strive to gain recognition of their diverse views and backgrounds and find full equality as French citizens.

Author: Jennifer Fredette
ISBN-10: 1439910294
ISBN-13: 9781439910290
Publisher: Temple University Press
Language: English
Published: 02/17/2014
Pages: 228
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.50lbs
Size: 8.80h x 5.90w x 0.90d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 10/01/2014 pg. 338