Anita LaFrance Allen

"One must hope it is possible for modern liberal democracies to incorporate people of various racial, religious, cultural, and national origins in a single body politic. Yet the end need not justify the means, and legislating against symbols of difference worn by minority woman [sic] is an inapt means. Joan Scott observed that French leaders have treated French nationality as an essence rather than as a dynamic, fluid construct. "In order to come to terms with its North-African/Muslim population," Scott urged, "French politicians and intellectuals need to come up with new ways of addressing difference, ways that acknowledge its existence rather than refusing to engage." Because Americans have not got it completely right, Scott's plea for engagement applies to US politicians and intellectuals as well."