Since the announcement of his appointment to the Ministry of Education, historian Pap Ndiaye has found himself under fire from critics from the far right. Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour felt that this was proof of Emmanuel Macron’s desire to “deconstruct” the history of France. Invited to the microphone of Europe 1, Jacques Toubon, former Defender of Rights, denounced these “insanities”.
Jacques Toubon steps up to the plate. Invited to the microphone of Pierre de Vilno this Saturday evening on Europe 1, the former Defender of Rights defended Pap Ndiaye, the historian who replaces Jean-Michel Blanquer at the Ministry of Education. Since his appointment by Emmanuel Macron, the latter has indeed been the subject of virulent attacks from the far right. Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour notably considered that this was proof of the Head of State’s desire to “deconstruct” the history of France.
Pap Ndiaye embodies “universal values”
Jacques Toubon, who has known this specialist in the social history of the United States for ten years, denounces these criticisms which are for him “insanity” because they “are madness”. “He is an academic. He is a man of knowledge. He has made a career as a researcher, a professor both in France and in the United States”, he underlines on Europe 1. “He is representative of what universal values are, which should benefit all equally. There is no race, there is no lower or higher condition.”
Principles at the confluence of universality and diversity
In his latest book I have to tell you, the former Defender of Rights also quotes Pap Ndiaye. “I think that a man like Pap can perfectly introduce into our education system, and in particular into secondary education, these principles which are at the same time at the confluence of universality and diversity. And to ensure that that there is not them and us, you and me, but all of us together, on an equal basis”, concludes Jacques Toubon.