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Vandalism at Presses Universitaires de France: A Book’s Contentious Journey to Publication

On Wednesday, April 30th, the Paris headquarters of Presses Universitaires de France (PUF), a prominent academic publishing house, became the target of vandalism. Photos circulating on social media documented the defacement, revealing a scene of political protest and a stark illustration of the intense debate surrounding a newly published book. Slogans such as "Feminists Against Fascist Propaganda" were plastered across the building’s windows. Further amplifying the message, stencils reading "Feminist Woke Proud" and "PUF + Stérin = Heart" were applied to the sidewalk outside.

The timing of this act of vandalism was particularly notable: it coincided with the official release date of Face à l’obscurantisme woke (Facing Woke Obscurantism), a collection of essays edited by Emmanuelle Hénin, a professor of literature, Xavier-Laurent Salvador, a linguist, and Pierre Vermeren, a historian. The book, intended to challenge what its authors characterize as "ideological drifts that undermine the university," features contributions from 26 academics and researchers, all boasting credible credentials within their respective fields.

For the past month and a half, this particular volume has been at the epicenter of a heated controversy, fueled by a campaign spearheaded by certain media outlets and intellectuals who sought to prevent its publication. Initial hesitancy from the publisher led to a temporary shelving of the project, only to be reversed later with a decision to postpone, rather than cancel, the release. The book’s controversial subject matter, coupled with concerns regarding the connection between some of the authors and Catholic billionaire Pierre-Edouard Stérin, are reported to have ignited the media firestorm.

The controversy ignited publicly on March 7th, when historian Patrick Boucheron, a professor at the Collège de France and co-author of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, delivered a pointed critique. Speaking at a rally protesting budget cuts implemented by the Trump administration in American research, Boucheron expressed his indignation. He voiced concern that certain actors within academia were acting as "useful idiots," facilitating the proliferation of problematic literature. He pointed directly at the PUF, singling out Face à l’obscurantisme woke, for particular criticism, questioning its very presence on the publisher’s list. "At PUF! At PUF!" he exclaimed, expressing disbelief.

In the immediate aftermath of Boucheron’s pronouncement, with the book already edited, formatted, its jacket designed, and its release date announced on the PUF website and social media, the publishing house announced a suspension of the publication. This decision was met with evident satisfaction within a segment of the left-leaning press, including publications like Libération, Le Monde, and L’Obs. These outlets seemed to believe that the very title of the book was sufficient grounds for its disqualification, representing a perspective they vehemently opposed. The core point of contention stemmed from the book’s direct challenge to "woke" ideology, a term often used to describe a heightened awareness of social injustices, particularly those related to race, gender, and sexuality. Critics of the book viewed it as an attack on progressive values and an attempt to undermine critical social discourse.

Following the initial suspension, a flurry of interest arose from other publishing houses eager to acquire the rights to the controversial work. Albin Michel, Fayard, and Ellipses were among the publishers reportedly vying for the opportunity. Ultimately, discussions progressed most favorably with Jean-Luc Barré, the head of Plon, another prominent French publishing house. Amidst this turmoil, the book’s authors found themselves divided. While three expressed reservations, the majority ultimately aligned with the idea of publishing with Plon. A strategic decision was made to prominently feature the tagline "The Forbidden Book" on the cover, thereby capitalizing on the publicity generated by the earlier controversy and framing the book as a victim of censorship.

However, the saga took another unexpected turn when Paul Garapon, the director of PUF, reversed his initial decision just days later, much to the dismay of the authors who had been prepared to move the project to a new publisher. Garapon publicly maintained that the initial suspension was never intended as censorship, but rather as a temporary measure to allow for further review and verification of the book’s contents. In an interview with Le Figaro at the end of March, Garapon asserted that "it was necessary to take the time to carry out verifications."

This incident raises several significant questions about academic freedom, the role of publishers in mediating ideological debates, and the potential for public pressure to influence editorial decisions. It highlights the complexities of navigating controversial topics within the context of increasingly polarized social and political landscapes. The vandalism at PUF, while undoubtedly a destructive act, serves as a visual representation of the passions and tensions surrounding the book and the broader issues it addresses. The book’s journey to publication, marked by initial hesitation, public outcry, and ultimately, a commitment to release, underscores the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the potential for harm within academic and public discourse.

Whether the accusations leveled at the book are merited is up to the readers, but this situation serves as a stark warning of the effect outside forces can have on academic pursuits.