American Culture + Revolutionary Times
When Your Revolutionary Cousin Reminds You About Liberty
The French Revolution & Women
I just wanted to remind you (dear reader) that the French Revolution started with a Women’s March to Versailles and their demand for bread. I returned to the history of the French Revolution (before the guillotine) when women were first sharing their voices in a very public way. What surprised me, was the Revolution was an active time for women in social circles and in politics. Yet, the following Napoleonic era excluded women almost entirely from their independent rights and political participation. What I found, is that the laws that existed before Napoleon were in friendlier to women. Napoleon was indeed, a tyrant about a women’s place in the world. The Napoleonic Codes are to blame. In between campaigns he was notoriously up all night, scribbling. He wrote out all the progress made during the Revolution. The French radicals were inspired by our own Revolution. The King of France financed the recently united 13 Colonies in hopes of giving King George III a bit of bother on the backside. So, here we are. Facing yet another potential revolution.
The New Revolution
The French constitution recently enshrined a women’s choice. This was no doubt a response to the recent (surprising) decision by the US supreme court. Then, a recent trial and conviction of serial sexual offender Gerard Depardieu fueled another movement (#Me Too) that registered a victory for the definition of assault. A battle was won but the war is not yet over. Long a champion for women’s rights, Catherine Deneuve, famous French actress recently spoke out about violence against women and I quote her:
“In France, there is no real policy that tries to stop this phenomenon. The problem is the slowness of justice. Even when women report to the police, it is only their word against that of a man. And then, someone is killed. And, often, not even public opinion notices. It is very, very difficult.” (@toujoursdeneuve - Instagram)
From the Past to the Present
The women of the French Revolution exhibited bravery and clear purpose. They also emerged from the “Top Down” and the “Bottom Up” in French society. Their wide use of hand bills promoted their views like our social media posts of today. Their message was quickly distributed throughout the streets of Paris and fed into the political discussions that took place in cafes, salon gatherings and assembly rooms. ‘Women’s rights, are human rights’ was a slogan that began in the 1790’s in Paris and was echoed by Kamala Harris in her recent 2024 campaign. The resonance of these words still holds true; the new French Revolution is here. I saw this myself as the street art in Paris is reviving the feminist heroines of the past. There is another awakening both in France and now in America as the streets come alive with the slogan “NO KINGS” (and many more appropriate slogans pictured)
The French Revolution Reminds Us About America
This newsletter is about French culture, travel, experiences based on my personal journey beginning as a French Exchange student. I had parents who worked professionally in arts and education. They were active in building the Martial Plan that established the foundation for both European economic success and American economic success of the last 75 years. I rarely discuss current politics, except in context to the culture that I explore. But there is no doubt we are at a critical moment in our American experiment. Our relationship with France is intertwined because we are revolutionary brothers and sisters. We are military allies of World War I and World War II which will endure despite attempts to dismantle this relationship by eager nationalists who claim to be ‘on our side’ but fail to see the larger picture.
The American Spirit
The character of the American Spirit has been subsumed by internal forces that are attempting to disclaim what we already know, to be true. Don’t let the dark delusions of a few take away the vision of the many who believe. The French Revolutionary slogan was based on the spirit of the American Revolution so, I repeat it here:
LIBERTY. EQUALITY. FRATERNITY
Liberty for Everyone, No Matter their origins. Equality an Opportunity for All People. Brotherhood (and Sisterhood) is caring for your Neighbor in the community.
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Footnote: See more from George Washington’s letter to Catherine M Graham: (for more on this term here ) ‘The American Experiment’
My Hotel Recommendation: The Hotel suggested for this location is “Les Dames” des Pantheon” a Four Star Hotel that is located in the square in front of the monument LE PANTHEON. For more questions or price quotes, feel free to reach me HERE: As I am now a certified IATA travel agency to handle all your needs.
Editor’s Note: I am hearing from my friends in FRANCE. They are finding America unrecognizable. They are fully aware of absolute rule, they know a KING when they see one; they are sounding the alarm, so we must listen.
Post Script: Recently a certain American President attended the musical “Les Mis” and no one bothered to tell him that the show is about the 1832 Insurrection that took place in Paris. The perfect analogy of this current administration. No One reads either culture or history, it seems (and certainly not VICTOR HUGO).
Image: LE PANTHEON, in the 5th arrondissement, from a photo taken by me while visiting the square in 2024. This monument is where many of France’s heroes and luminaries are buried. Recently, an American Heroine, JOSEPHINE BAKER was re-interred here to celebrate her heroism during WWII. For EMILY IN PARIS FANS, this hotel is conveniently located around the corner to her main location for the series.