Backlash Erupts After Florida School Allegedly Disposes of LGBTQ Books

On August 16, a report surfaced about the disposal of hundreds of library books at the New College of Florida, an incident that has prompted fierce backlash from civil liberties organizations. Many of the discarded books reportedly focused on LGBTQ+ themes and religious studies.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune revealed that the public liberal arts institution, restructured in governance last year under Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, disposed of an extensive collection of library books. Reports indicated that these materials ended up in a landfill, with a significant number addressing LGBTQ+ topics.

Images published by the media depicted a dumpster filled with books at the college’s Jane Bancroft Cook Library. These items are thought to come from the now-closed Gender and Diversity Center on campus.

The New College has faced scrutiny regarding its commitment to academic freedom since the appointment of six conservative board members by DeSantis. This move was aimed at reshaping the college from a haven for “free thinkers” into a stronghold of conservative ideology.

Leading this newly appointed board is Christopher Rufo, a prominent opponent of “critical race theory” in educational settings. Rufo claims to have influenced legislation in 15 states aimed at educational reform from a conservative viewpoint.

In response to the Herald-Tribune’s report, the college issued a statement denying the allegations of indiscriminate book disposal. The administration claimed the actions were part of a routine library maintenance process, initiated following the discontinuation of its gender studies program.

According to the school, “A library needs to regularly review and renew its collection to ensure its materials are meeting the current needs of students and faculty.” They described the images of the dumpster filled with books as indicative of a standard “weeding process” in libraries.

Despite the college’s explanations, the situation has escalated into a considerable outcry from various advocacy groups defending civil liberties and academic freedom.

People For the American Way President Sante Myrick expressed deep concern over the treatment of the discarded books, labeling the act as an aggression against education and an erasure of knowledge. He remarked, “It’s appalling to see books treated like common trash,” emphasizing the potential loss of learning opportunities these materials represented.

Myrick further criticized the actions, suggesting that the discarded books could have served as tools for understanding and unity among individuals. He described the images showcasing the dumped books as a “shocking preview” of potential outcomes should similar ideological forces gain more traction in the future.

The American Civil Liberties Union added a statement regarding broader movements across the nation to ban books containing perspectives from Black and LGBTQ+ authors. The organization assured that efforts would continue to uphold the right to learn freely in public spaces.

Jonathan Webber, Florida policy director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, denounced the actions taken under DeSantis’s educational overhaul. He stated that the removal of books for political purposes diverges from mainstream American values. Webber insisted that decisions about educational content should be left to educators, not dictated by politicians with ideological motives.

This incident at the New College of Florida has not only raised alarms about academic freedom but also highlighted ongoing debates about educational content across the United States. As the backlash continues, advocates for civil liberties pledge to resist the erosion of knowledge and inclusivity in educational spaces.