To fail to understand this about France is to fail to understand anything about France. This is what they mean by "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité."
No doubt, France does not always live up to this ideal. Nor do Americans always live up to the ideals in the Bill of Rights. But the French take this principle--and its implications for *citizenship* -- as seriously as we take the Bill of Rights. The words are quasi-sacred.
You might say, "But wouldn't it just be *nice* to say to Africans, 'Come join in our celebration! Let's all be proud?" Yes, it would. But to say that would genuinely negate France's highest ideals--ideals that, believe me, you want to encourage, not scorn.
The team is French. Every one was either born here (21/23 were) or moved here as toddlers. They're the product of a *French* educational system. French culture. A French system for cultivating athletic talent. They speak French, they are French.
To suggest they are anything but French--to the French Ambassador, at that!--is not only profoundly insulting, but proof you've got no idea what you're talking about. You are suggesting that essentially, France is a blood-and-soil ethno-state.
It may be many things--but that, it is not. If you spend a single day in Paris, you will see that this is nonsense. If you're a citizen, you are a citizen. Do the words "Aux armes, citoyens" ring a bell?
If not ... pour l'amour de Dieu, ferme ta gueule. T'es des fanfarons écervelés, de brutes imbéciles, et de malotrus fanatiques.
