An art installation titled “Equality Month” at the University of Grenoble Alpes faced backlash for conveying messages that criticized all “sick white men” and suggested that white individuals are the primary source of racism.
In an effort to address discrimination and racism, the University of Grenoble Alpes called for students and staff to engage in an art project featuring messages on the glass walls of the campus amphitheater.
The project was overseen by Petite Poissonne, a 42-year-old street artist from Grenoble, according to reports from Le Figaro. Some of the messages displayed at the university included, “The world is in pain. It is usually run by white people and men,” and “Racism is white,” along with another stating, “In chess as in life, White has a head start.”
A petition requesting the removal of these perceived racist comments was initiated by the Conservative University Student Coalition.
“These messages are unacceptable, encouraging racism against white individuals and promoting the idea that we exist in a systematically racist society,” remarked Yvenn Le Coz, president of the coalition.
In response to the petition, the university’s president affirmed that the messages conveying anti-white sentiments would be taken down, stating they do not represent the university’s stance or values. The university had pre-screened ten other messages before they were published but claimed this particular content “escaped” scrutiny.
The conversation regarding anti-white racism in France was also brought to the forefront during a recent meeting in Paris led by Marion Maréchal, a figure from the political family of Le Pen.
The president of the Identity Libertés party, along with other European Parliament members, emphasized that while anti-racism discussions are often overlooked in polite circles, they remain very real and relevant.
“The struggle against perceptions of anti-white racism and the condemnation of those who deny it should be ongoing and a focal point,” she stated. “Anti-white racism involves humiliation, abuse, and tragically, it can even lead to death,” Malechal added.
Conference speakers referred to a violent incident in the French commune of Crepol in 2023, where a stabbing incident resulted in the death of 16-year-old Thomas Perrott and left many others injured.
A group of young men from a multicultural neighborhood in Roman sur-Crépol reportedly targeted a dance event in Crepol, allegedly shouting intentions to “stab white people.”
