Singaporean Sharon Au reassures loved ones that she is safe in Paris amidst protests in France, questions violent methods
Singaporean actress and host Sharon Au, who has lived in Paris for nine years, reflected on the recent tumultuous protests in France.
While acknowledging that she does not understand the full complexity of the grievances, Ms Au still felt that anger should not justify violence.
Protests in France began with students over major education system issues
Protests in France have been ongoing since 18 Sept, with students dissatisfied about problems in their education system,
Source: Berria
They cited overcrowded classes and an insufficient number of teachers. One pupil allegedly went seven months without a French teacher despite an exam that year.
Furthermore, poor facilities resulted in temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius in classrooms.
On 17 Oct, the student protests were joined by a wide range of other groups with their own grievances, including fuel cost protestors, climate activists, and trade unionists.
Source: vgsa on Reddit
Clashes broke out across France, including in Paris, as footage emerged of several groups looting and damaging shops.
Sharon Au says violence in France protests affects ordinary people most
Sharon Au, who has lived in Paris for nine years, gave her take on the protests on 19 Oct.
Source: Sharon Au on Facebook
She first assured family and friends that she is currently safe.
Ms Au then acknowledged that she does not understand the “full complexity of the grievances that brought hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets”.
“I have not lived the frustrations of French students, teachers or families who feel let down by their institutions,” she said.
Source: Mzn17 on Wikimedia Commons
Ms Au stated that France has a “proud tradition of dissent”.
She respected France’s right to protest but questioned its methods at times.
“The cost of destruction is ultimately borne by ordinary people, including those already struggling to make ends meet,” the actress wrote.
Source: Jorge Jaramillo on Wikimedia Commons
Warns against conflating peaceful protests with violent ones
Ms Au, however, emphasised against conflating peaceful protesters and those who “exploit public anger” for violence.
She said that the “most horrifying images” captured of the protests rarely display the whole truth.
As a result, Ms Au did not want these accounts to do her thinking for her.
Source: Gabriel from92 on Wikimedia Commons
Furthermore, she emphasised that her years of living in France do not entitle her to judge an entire complicated nation.
Even so, she opposed excusing the violent protestors exploiting the movement.
Understanding anger does not oblige us to justify violence.
Sharon Au says Singapore and France ‘very different’ on public order
Lastly, Ms Au compared her experiences in Singapore to France.
She remarked that Singapore has a “very different relationship” with public order and collective action.
Source: ZKang123 on Wikimedia Commons
When she moved to France, the tradition of openly challenging authority also called into question her Singapore-based assumptions.
It meant she had to accept that democracy can, at times, be uncomfortable, messy, and disorderly.
But surely, freedom must also come with responsibility towards those with whom we share that freedom.
Ms Au ultimately concluded that Paris is still her home, even on days that she struggles to recognise it.
Also read: S’poreans stuck in Nepal amid violent protests that killed 19, face road & airport closures
S’poreans stuck in Nepal amid violent protests that killed 19, face road & airport closures
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Featured image adapted from Sharon Au on Facebook and Mzn17 on Wikimedia Commons.
