Pure laine: Difference between revisions

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	{{POV\|date=April 2008}}		{{POV\|date=April 2008}}

	The ] term '''pure laine''' (also mistakenly rendered in English as '''pur laine'''), literally meaning ''pure wool'' (and often interpreted as ''true blue'' or ''dyed-in-the-wool''), is a politically and culturally charged phrase referring to the people having original ancestery of the ]. Another similar term is '''de souche''' (roughly in English, ''old stock'').		The ] term '''pure laine''' (also mistakenly rendered in English as '''pur laine'''), literally meaning ''pure wool'' (and often interpreted as ''true blue'' or ''dyed-in-the-wool''), is a politically and culturally charged phrase referring to the people having original ancestery of the ]. Another similar term is '''de souche''' (roughly in English, ''old stock''). Recent genetics studies confirm that French-Canandians are indeed a distinct genetic group, with virtually all of their genes traceable to 16th Century France, and that Quebecois, being descended nearly exclusively from a 1600 person French "founder population," are a nearly perfect snapsnot, genetically, of French peasantry in the 17th century.

	While ~~most~~ French-Canadians are able to trace their ancestry back to the original settlers of ], ~~many~~ are descended from mixed marriages between the ], and ] settlers. When these shared the same Roman Catholic faith, their unions were approved by the once-powerful Roman Catholic Church in Quebec. This experience is analogous to the English Canadians, except to a much less degree as nearly all English Canadians are descended in large part from slavic immigrants as well as Irish, Scottish, and eastern European stock. Another complicating factor was the settlement of many ] in the region, many of whom were ultimately assimilated into the francophone culture. Recently, Quebec has also enjoyed the benefits of a policy of immigration from French-speaking countries, which has added to, and changed, French-Canadian culture.		While nearly all French-Canadians are able to trace their ancestry back to the original settlers of ], a few are descended from mixed marriages between the ], and ] settlers. When these shared the same Roman Catholic faith, their unions were approved by the once-powerful Roman Catholic Church in Quebec. This experience is analogous to the English Canadians (except to a much less degree given the historic bias in favor of keeping the population "French") as nearly all "English" Canadians are descended in large part from slavic immigrants, aboriginal peoples ("Indians"), as well as Irish, Scottish, and eastern European stock. Another complicating factor was the settlement of many ] in the region, many of whom were ultimately assimilated into the francophone culture. Recently, Quebec has also enjoyed the benefits of a policy of immigration from French-speaking countries, which has added to, and changed, French-Canadian culture to some small degree.

	The use of ''pure laine'' is sometimes deprecated <ref name="Charest"> by the Canadian Press, ''The Gazette'', September 19, 2006, retrieved September 20, 2006</ref><ref name="Robitaille">"Les « pures laines » coupables ?" by Antoine Robitaille, ''La Presse'', September 19, 2006.</ref>. Regardless, English-language commentators ] of the '']'' <ref></ref> and ] of '']'' <ref></ref> continue to use the term. Mainstream French-language newspaper ], however, still uses both the terms ''pure laine'' and ''de souche''.<ref></ref>		The use of ''pure laine'' is sometimes deprecated <ref name="Charest"> by the Canadian Press, ''The Gazette'', September 19, 2006, retrieved September 20, 2006</ref><ref name="Robitaille">"Les « pures laines » coupables ?" by Antoine Robitaille, ''La Presse'', September 19, 2006.</ref>. Regardless, English-language commentators ] of the '']'' <ref></ref> and ] of '']'' <ref></ref> continue to use the term. Mainstream French-language newspaper ], however, still uses both the terms ''pure laine'' and ''de souche''.<ref></ref>
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	This proposed legislation was immediately discredited, having been criticized by many significant politician and commentator in the province (including former PQ Premier of Quebec ].) It can be noted however, that to obtain the citizenship many countries, including Canada, the immigrant has to learn one of the official languages.		This proposed legislation was immediately discredited, having been criticized by many significant politician and commentator in the province (including former PQ Premier of Quebec ].) It can be noted however, that to obtain the citizenship many countries, including Canada, the immigrant has to learn one of the official languages.

	Nonetheless, it shows the importance that hardline separatists and ideologues put upon having qualities not unlike those of the mythical '''''pur-laine'''''		Nonetheless, it shows the importance that hardline separatists and ideologues put upon having qualities not unlike those of the mythical '''''pur-laine''''' Indeed, this very discussion shows the lengths English bigots will go to in order to deny the scientific truth that French Canadians are indeed French, and is a sad commentary of the bigotry still alive and well in "tolerant" Canada today. Deny a person his roots, his family, and you have taken away his personhood - which is of course the intent.

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}

Revision as of 14:14, 10 December 2008

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The French term pure laine (also mistakenly rendered in English as pur laine), literally meaning pure wool (and often interpreted as true blue or dyed-in-the-wool), is a politically and culturally charged phrase referring to the people having original ancestery of the French-Canadians. Another similar term is de souche (roughly in English, old stock). Recent genetics studies confirm that French-Canandians are indeed a distinct genetic group, with virtually all of their genes traceable to 16th Century France, and that Quebecois, being descended nearly exclusively from a 1600 person French "founder population," are a nearly perfect snapsnot, genetically, of French peasantry in the 17th century.

While nearly all French-Canadians are able to trace their ancestry back to the original settlers of New France, a few are descended from mixed marriages between the French, and Irish settlers. When these shared the same Roman Catholic faith, their unions were approved by the once-powerful Roman Catholic Church in Quebec. This experience is analogous to the English Canadians (except to a much less degree given the historic bias in favor of keeping the population "French") as nearly all "English" Canadians are descended in large part from slavic immigrants, aboriginal peoples ("Indians"), as well as Irish, Scottish, and eastern European stock. Another complicating factor was the settlement of many English people in the region, many of whom were ultimately assimilated into the francophone culture. Recently, Quebec has also enjoyed the benefits of a policy of immigration from French-speaking countries, which has added to, and changed, French-Canadian culture to some small degree.

The use of pure laine is sometimes deprecated . Regardless, English-language commentators Brigitte Pellerin of the Ottawa Citizen and Jan Wong of The Globe and Mail continue to use the term. Mainstream French-language newspaper La Presse, however, still uses both the terms pure laine and de souche.

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society President Jean Dorion has declared "There is no obsession for racial purity in Quebec, definitely not. The expression 'pure laine' is absolutely obsolete." .

These feelings are best illustrated by some people reactions of a recent Parti Québécois policy proposal debate.. On October 18, 2007, Pauline Marois, leader of the Parti Québécois submitted a Private Member's Bill in the National Assembly (Bill-195: Quebec Identity Act) in which it is proposed that any future citizenship in a separate Quebec be based on French language requirements, and that people would have to pass a French proficiency test to merit full citizenship. Those who have been given Canadian citizenship but do not pass a French proficiency test would have certain rights withheld; for example, they would be barred from running for municipal or provincial elections. Curiously, none of these proposals have any racial or ethnic test whatsoever.

This proposed legislation was immediately discredited, having been criticized by many significant politician and commentator in the province (including former PQ Premier of Quebec Bernard Landry.) It can be noted however, that to obtain the citizenship many countries, including Canada, the immigrant has to learn one of the official languages.

Nonetheless, it shows the importance that hardline separatists and ideologues put upon having qualities not unlike those of the mythical pur-laine Indeed, this very discussion shows the lengths English bigots will go to in order to deny the scientific truth that French Canadians are indeed French, and is a sad commentary of the bigotry still alive and well in "tolerant" Canada today. Deny a person his roots, his family, and you have taken away his personhood - which is of course the intent.

References

"Charest seeks Globe apology over notion culture a factor in school shootings" by the Canadian Press, The Gazette, September 19, 2006, retrieved September 20, 2006
"Les « pures laines » coupables ?" by Antoine Robitaille, La Presse, September 19, 2006.
Don't faint, I'm siding with a separatist
L'affaire Wong' becomes talk of Quebec
Katia Gagnon : La commission Bouchard-Taylor... à l'envers | Actualités | Cyberpresse
"Charest seeks Globe apology over notion culture a factor in school shootings" by the Canadian Press, The Gazette, September 19, 2006, retrieved September 20, 2006
"Citizenship proposal has a price" by Chantal Hébert, Toronto Star, October 26, 2007.
"Seizing Solitude: Creating Quebec citizenship" The McGill Daily, October 29, 2007

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