Academic Wokism
Louis Causero, Essey-lès-Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle)
I appreciated the article by Denys de Béchillon, establishing a parallel between American and French universities regarding calls for the genocide of the Jews. It should be noted, however, that the checks and balances in the United States are real and effective: the American Congress publicly and unceremoniously questioned the presidents of the universities concerned, two of whom have already resigned; many patrons have threatened to reduce their subsidies… In France, students have the power to prohibit a personality deemed “not in conformity with their opinion” from speaking at a conference; wokism settles into indifference; support for Hamas is displayed without nuance, as is so-called left-wing anti-Semitism; some teachers support these abuses; the government is absent, the political figures are silent. Where are the checks and balances in French universities? (“ “It all depends on the context”: anti-Semitism and academic wokism », L’Express of January 4.)
Feminism with variable geography
Nadine Zirah, Les Lilas (Seine-Saint-Denis)
Since October 7, we thought our feminists were missing, voiceless or sequestered by Hamas. They have just regained great vitality against Gérard Depardieu. Would the new judges prejudge “dominant” white males while the henchmen of the Muslim Brotherhood, who practiced feminicide on a large scale in Israel, are never denounced by their vigorous vigilance??? These feminists are strangely silent when the culprit is excused by his origin… (“ When the Depardieu affair divides families », L’Express of January 4.)
Macron “determined”, but to what?
Lionel Dollot, Paris
I heard Emmanuel Macron in his wishes describe 2024 as a “year of determination”. The word and its adjectives have been repeated over and over throughout this harangue. So our president was not “determined” these last seven years? Either way, determination is not a project. Neither the Olympic Games, nor the commemoration of the Liberation of 1944, nor the restoration of Notre-Dame form a program. What are his plans for the school, security, hospital? The main thing is not to be “determined”, but to have a direction. The French want action. (“ Wishes for 2024: Emmanuel Macron promises a “year of determination” “, on Lexpress.fr)
Tribute to Jacques Delors
Claude Gisselbrecht, Metz (Moselle)
Sixty years ago, President Kennedy exclaimed during a trip to West Berlin: “Ich bin ein Berliner!“Jacques Delors, who left us on December 27 at the age of 98, could have exclaimed in his turn, in his capacity as former President of the European Commission and father of the euro: “Ich bin ein Europaer!“All his life, in fact, he remained faithful to his convictions, a loyalty making him a politician of stature, talented and honest, even if his decision not to run in the 1995 presidential election surprised many of his fellow citizens, who remained unsatisfied! Most of the Presidents of the Republic who subsequently succeeded one another did not have his charisma, far from it. No doubt they lacked that I-don’t-know- what makes great statesmen and opens the doors of History… (“ Jacques Delors and Wolfgang Schäuble closed the chapter of a happy Union », L’Express of January 4.)
Christophe Donner navel-gazing?
Gilles Charlet, Ambazac (Haute-Vienne)
I would like to give you an opinion on the regular last page article by Christophe Donner. First, it is often difficult to understand. On the other hand, it is of little interest, not even that of entertaining us. The author really likes to talk about his activities, like “taking a plane” or better: watching films while taking a plane… In short, a lot of blabbering, Parisianism and navel-gazing. (“ Things seen in Chile: time to take stock », L’Express of December 21.)
Referee book, literary news every week
Newsletter, information letter or newsletter, each name has its supporters, but the bottle doesn’t matter as long as we have… the pleasure of following the news, in this case, literary news. Certainly, the peak of the world, with the very French excitement of the autumn grand prix, is behind us, but ahead of us, what events! Thus, for the months of January and February alone, 482 novels, some 1,400 essays, a good twenty festivals and prizes have been announced, and that’s just the beginning. Add to this the multiple editorial movements which will “entertain” the landscape, between transfers of publishers and “diversions” of authors… In short, publishing knows no downtime. This is what we want to talk to you about in Livre-arbitraire, signed Marianne Payot, every Friday at 9 a.m. To receive it, go to the L’Express website in the “My account” and “My newsletters” section.