1968
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Mai '68
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In May, 1968, French society, following the students’ movement, rebelled against power and authority. General de Gaulle, the Second World War hero, had been president for ten years, and had four years remaining in his second seven-year term.
De Gaulle had what he called “a certain idea of France,” and a certain idea of himself, sentimental and quixotic. France for him was a beloved princess and he was her devoted chevalier, always ready to save and serve her. France was a hierarchical and patriarchal society. Abortion was illegal and the death penalty was applied in cases of homicide. When I was growing up in the fifties and sixties, women had no rights over their children. The father was the “family chief” and lorded over his wife and children. If he was benevolent, all the better; but if he was dictatorial, you were not in for a happy childhood. Trust me! Students took to the streets to protest the old order. Trees were dug up. Barricades were raised. Medieval stones were torn from the pavement and hurled at the heavily equipped riot police. Cars were set on fire. Tear-gas bombs were thrown on the demonstrators who retaliated with Molotov cocktails. All of France went on strike: schools, public transportation, the post office, the airlines, doctors, lawyers, actors, radio hosts, TV personalities, railway workers. For two solid weeks France was at a standstill. The “young” wanted freedom. They were breaking out of the prison of French patriarchy and rationality, in surrealistic and anarchical ways. In answer to placards in public places such as, “Forbidden to swear or to spit” or “Forbidden to throw garbage in the courtyard,” or “Forbidden to walk or lie on the lawn,” they posted “Forbidden to forbid!” These were confusing times for adolescents who had been brought up in an atmosphere of fear, guilt and repression by parents and teachers who had survived the horrors of war and occupation. Sex was taboo but flourished clandestinely everywhere and Eros was seen as a liberating force against the restraints of family and duty. De Gaulle resigned in early 1969, and died a broken man the following year. Soon after, order was reestablished in the country and the elections which followed de Gaulle’s departure gave the right wing an overwhelming majority. After the “excesses” of ‘68 followed a period of distrust and suspicion towards anybody who had been a “student in ’68.” Applying for a job became hazardous when potential employers noticed with dismay that you were “at the Sorbonne in ‘68.” This period of backlash, which came after the liberating effect of the events of ’68, remains frustrating and depressing in my recollection. Eventually the “spirit of ‘68” did make its way into mainstream French society and led to some deep changes with respect to the rights of women and children. Now mothers and fathers have equal rights over their children, and the mandate of the President of the Republic is limited to five years instead of seven. Vive ’68! |
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About Michèle Praeger
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The Vistas & Byways Review is the semiannual journal of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and visual arts by members of OLLI at SF State. Vertical Divider
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