Unlike in Canada, French Secularism sees no hyphenated identities – only
French or Not French. Whereas, in Canada, its social, religious and political
strengths lie in its clearcut multicultural identities. For example,
Chinese-Canadians, Indo/South-Asian Canadians, Latino- Canadians, etc., etc.
The French majority population seeks freedom of expression by
suppressing the freedoms of minorities as to how they should wear and worship.
France needs pluralistic Secularism – one that tolerates minority ethnic
communities' cultural and religious symbols and values. For example, in 2015, a
Muslim advocacy group sued a municipal authority to offer an alternative to
pork in school cafeterias. The group won the case not because it violated
religious freedom but the menu violated children's rights.
French Secularism needs some adjustments to be secular in its
contemporary multicultural society. It can't be monolithic.
