Of course Shakespeare was suggesting that it does not matter what things are called, their essence remains the same: "a rose by any other name would smell so sweet" (or thereabouts). But the National Front supported maire of Beziers caused a bit of a storm this week by revealing that he had classified primary school children by their first names, coming to the conclusion that 60% of the pupils are Muslim. Leaving aside that such classifications are illegal, one wonders what use he would make of the information, and how he has grouped the remaining 40%. Will he, for example, reverse his decision not to offer halal meals in school canteens? If some football crazy fans name their son after Karim Benzema (France and Real Madrid) does it make him Muslim? Is a girl called Rebecca Jewish or Christian - or neither?
One wag has suggested that if you want your son to get on in Beziers, call him Benito.
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