In an open letter published in the French newspaper "Le Monde", some 2,000 researchers condemned the call for "censoring freedom of thought in universities", signed by 100 professors in support of Minister of National Education Jean-Michel Blancer's ideas about "Islamic leftism".
Right-wingers in France use the term "Islamic left" when talking about the alleged political agreement between Islamists and leftists in the country, especially on issues such as the veil and the reception of refugees.
On Thursday, October 22, Blunker made statements to a radio station, in which he said that Islamic leftism exists in universities and unions such as the National Student Union, and that it is causing damage to those places.
The minister claimed that Islamist leftists are defending an ideology that causes the worst of things.
The professors ’statement in support of the minister came to consider that“ the anti-racism and colonial ideologies are very present in French universities, which fuels the hatred of “whites” and France, and leads to violent activity at times. .
The researchers ’statement affirmed that“ after reading the statement of the 100 calling for censorship of freedom of thought in universities, we know that we will not be able to convince the signatories to the opposite, but we cannot remain idly by regarding such calls, especially after borrowing terms related to the extreme right to describe "Islamic leftism", which French Education Minister Michel Blancer called "destructive."
White hatred and France
"The academics who wrote this document should know that it is not enough to employ inappropriate and useless phrases. Rather, logical arguments should be presented, because these statements are likely to turn against them in the end. It is better to handle accusations with caution," the researchers added in their statement. Such as "intellectual compliance", "fear" and "political correctness", because in fact it applies to the people who direct it. "
The statement added that the statement of the 100 professors claims the emergence of a stream of studies and ideas in universities "that feeds hatred of whites and France."
But the question arises: How can the study of multiple and intersecting identities, oppression and the struggle for liberation give rise to such hate-charged tendencies and feelings?
Pointing out that the statement of 100 does not carry answers to these questions and makes false assumptions.
The researchers said, "We know that the history of France is varied and full, with the struggle for freedom, equality and law. But we cannot deny that France committed many crimes of colonial and social violence and practiced terrible forms of oppression."
Contradictory proposals
While the "statement of the 100" proposes two things, on the one hand it calls for fighting an entire stream of societal analysis, while on the other hand it calls for the formation of a monitoring body to defend academic freedom, according to the researchers' statement.
The researchers' statement says that the signatories to the statement of the 100 are not aware of the contradiction of their proposals to "establish a supervisory body to defend academic freedom", and to what extent freedoms are trampled upon when calling for the denial of studies and ideas, adding that "seeking to censor freedom of expression is not only unacceptable." Rather, it demeans the very principles that the statement of 100 claims to defend, namely the principles of republic and freedom. "
The researchers concluded the statement by saying that it is appalling that at a time of mourning for the victims of "terrorist" attacks, and at a time when freedom of expression should be supported, academics are taking advantage of the situation to settle scores and accuse their colleagues of complicity with terrorism, "but this will not prevent us from defending the open, critical and tolerant approach. We will continue to support the principles of liberation and dignity in the face of violence and hatred. "