Comment: French solidarity is the antidote we need against ‘Thumpism’

The other week I was the guest of a social club for ex-rugby players which rejoices in a delightful Occitan name meaning ‘The Short of Breaths’; ie. those no longer young enough to race full tilt after an oval ball. 

I felt out of place. Rugby is not my thing and there was too much noise for me to start a conversation in a foreign language. Besides, the promised dinner was served hours later than scheduled. 

I was there to witness the club’s presentation of a giant cheque to a volunteer organisation that helps people undergoing cancer treatment and finances medical equipment for struggling hospitals. 

The money had been raised by the club a few weeks previously, with the help of my wife’s professional theatre group performing for free to an audience of 350 people.

Silence was called for. Wine glasses and beer bottles were put down and we listened to a short speech by a representative of the cancer charity who told us how important such a sizeable amount of money was, and how grateful she was to everyone who had given their time and energy to this particular act of fundraising.

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Restos du Coeur

On the way home, my wife and I agreed that this small town event symbolised something wonderful. A lot of people had taken the initiative to put themselves out to make a contribution to those less fortunate than themselves. 

The next day, I entered our local supermarket to be greeted by two volunteers collecting for the Restos du Coeur (literally: The Restaurants of the Heart). 

At regular intervals they hand out plastic bags and ask shoppers to purchase goods on behalf of people who are struggling to buy food. 

Crossing the car park later with my shopping, the answer to a question that had been weighing on my mind hit me. Since January, I had been wondering what I could do to combat what I like to call ‘Thumpism’ – that hard-hearted attitude to life that has swept violently across the Atlantic like a freakishly cold wind. 

You know all about ‘Thumpism’: it preaches acute selfishness. Look after yourself exclusively and forget the rest. You do not owe strangers anything. Who cares if there is suffering in the world. 

They deserve it for not being strong. The tough survive and thrive. They own multinationals and get elected to high offices of state. Their success gives them the right to bully the weak. 

Most of us have no power to resist this malicious force,. but there is one small thing we can do. We can stay human and care about others. The antidote to ‘Thumpism’ is empathy: to recognise that other people feel pain and that those of us who are lucky must help those who are not. 

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European solidarity

It does not matter how small the act of kindness you undertake. You do what you can. The important thing is to recognise that there are other minds, hearts and souls as deserving as our own.

In Europe, we know a lot about solidarity. We have learned it through wars and hard times. Equality and fraternity are written into the French psyche along with liberty. This country has a rich tradition of associations working to strengthen society rather than loosen its links.

There are certainly people in France who are drawn to ‘Thumpism’ because it frees them from all responsibility, including the responsibility of making logical sense when they speak. 

But as long as there are retired, “short-of-breath” second rows and fly halves, and aged volunteers collecting food from those of us with overflowing trolleys, we can be sure that there is a quiet, dispersed, tenacious resistance movement that will outlast the preachers of narcissism, authoritarianism, mistrust and hate.

Do you think that French solidarité can help? Do you engage in any projects where you live? Let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com