Art Class Controversy and Teacher Safety in France
A painting from the 17th century, "Diana and Actaeon" by Giuseppe Cesari, caused a stir among Muslim pupils and their parents at the Jacques Cartier school in Issou, France. The painting, which depicts the Greek myth where the hunter Actaeon enters a bathing spot filled with nymphs, including the goddess Diana, sparked accusations of racism on social networks towards the teacher who used it in an art class. The disturbed pupils claimed the teacher showed them the painting as a provocation .
Despite the controversy, all the teachers remained absent from the school on Monday, as they felt threatened and in danger. Sophie Venetitay, the General Secretary of the secondary school teachers’ union Snes-FSU, expressed the teachers’ concerns over a palpable unease and an increase in violent cases amid their daily realities .
The Wake of Past Crimes
The Samuel Paty incident resonates heavily with the French teachers, who fear for their lives. Paty, a teacher at the Collège du Bois d'Aulnay in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, was tragically beheaded by Abdullah Ansorov in October 2020 after allegedly showing his students caricatures from the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo .
Taking Action
- Global Impact of News Articles Conflicting opinions led some Muslims to criticize using text-to-speech technology to transmit foreign news articles regarding the Jacques Cartier incident, raising valid concerns about exacerbating negative perceptions towards their community .
- Painting Workshops and Promoting Tolerance In response to the incident, a local Muslim arts group organized a painting workshop to encourage understanding and tolerance around the school, enabling Muslim pupils to explore their creative talents .
- Strengthening Cultural Awareness The French government announced plans to establish a new teaching program focused on Islam and cultural sensitivity aimed at fostering open dialogue and improving the classroom environment .
- Online Courses and Open Dialogue Partnering with the French Language of Islamic Civilization (FLIC), the French education ministry developed interactive online courses to promote understanding of Muslim beliefs and practices, creating safer and more inclusive learning environments .
- Digital Resource Centre The education ministry, in collaboration with DeskDelta, launched a digital resource centre to equip teachers with diverse teaching materials, including lessons on Muslim history, art, and culture, bolstering understanding and inclusivity in classrooms .
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