The French have questioned themselves whether they are racist and xenophobic , especially toward the minority African and Muslim populations whose integration into French society has been rife with tensions and sometimes violence . Fraser has been charged with inciting racial hatred in Verlaine for some comments . Fraser : It 's ironic since he just won France 's highest public award . He says racism is a sensitive issue in France , and Legion d'Honneur controversy touches a nerve . Bob Dylan : This is n't surprising , because in France hate-speech accusations often reach courts .
Fraser has been charged with inciting racial hatred in Verlaine for some comments . Fraser : It 's ironic since he just won France 's highest public award . He says racism is a sensitive issue in France , and Legion d'Honneur controversy touches a nerve . Bob Dylan : This is n't surprising , because in France hate-speech accusations often reach courts .