In the wake of the ISIS terrorist attacks and many people losing their lives, I thought it would be nice to highlight just a handful of reasons why the French are awesome to give our friends from the city of lights encouragement in their time of grief. Here are five reasons:
5. The Baguette
Recommended for you
The baguette is one of my favorite types of bread to dunk in potato bacon soup. A plain baguette is simple to make with just water, salt, and wheat flour. I’ve never been to France, but I’ve watched many French travel documentaries—which basically makes me an expert (not)—and the documentarians have said that fresh baguettes are made every morning in bakeries, and you can smell fresh bread while out on the streets even before the sun comes up. So, thank you, France, for your delicious bread, because not even Panera with their fake, but still tasty baguettes can top you.
4. Being our allies since February 6, 1778
Yes, France was our biggest ally in the Revolutionary War against Great Britain. Basically, without them, America may not be an independent country. On February 6, 1778, Benjamin Franklin signed two different treaties. One was The Treaty of Amity and Commerce, and the other was the Treaty of Alliance. Both treaties concern our relationship with France; the former declared the United States an independent country and solidified the two countries as trade partners, the latter declared France to be our allies. So they sent over provisions and troops, helping us to win the war against Britain.
3. Braille and other useful inventions
According to "The French Morning Newspaper," the French are responsible for numerous inventions that make day-to-day living easier. These inventions include Braille; conceptualized in 1824 by Louis Braille, a man who had gone blind in both eyes as a child. This reading system allows the blind to read and better perceive the environment around them. Canned food was also invented in 1809 by French baker and brewer, Nicolas Appert, as a part of a contest started by Napoleon in 1795 to find a better way to feed his army. Finally, the hair dryer was invented by Alexandre Godefroy, a French hairstylist, in 1888.
2. Being the setting for Ludwig Bemelman’s "Madeline"
As a little girl, I was obsessed with Bemelman’s series, set in Paris, France. I learned my first French words, “Bonjour” and “Oui.” I quickly fell in love with the city of lights and I dreamed of going to a French boarding school just like Madeline. Although Inever realized it, these books were my first exposure to a different culture, a culture that I came to respect for their cool berets and sophistication.
1. Welcoming foreigners into their homes, businesses, and religious institutions on last Friday, 11/13
Although I didn’t have any family or friends in Paris during that terrible attack on Friday, it warms my heart that the French would look beyond themselves to welcome strangers into their homes, religious buildings, and stores for refuge. I saw that hashtag #PorteOuverte on Twitter and it made me realize that we are all people just seeking shelter from the cruelties of the world, and that everyone is struggling, so we need to come together. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for looking out for others, when it would have been so easy to look out for just yourselves. This act of kindness shows the world France’s high character.
To all those who suffer around the world from ISIS terrorist attacks recently (Beirut, Baghdad, Paris) and each day, I am holding you in my heart and praying for peace for each of you.
La paix soit avec vous tous. السلام عليكم جميعا.
