Unpacking Racism and Laicité in France

This chapter examines the historical and social context of the 2004 French law banning ostentatious religious symbols in schools, particularly in light of rising Islamophobia post-9/11. It critiques the concept of 'respectable racism' present within various political ideologies in France, exploring the complexities of laicité and the ongoing impact of colonial legacies on Muslim communities. The chapter also highlights the efforts of activists advocating for decolonial perspectives and the evolution of racial discourse in France over the years.