New College of Florida trashed hundreds of books — including many focusing on LGBTQ and race issues

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. New College of Florida students, activists and alumni pick through discarded books from the school’s Gender and Diversity Center in Sarasota, Florida Amy Reid, a faculty chair and representative to the board of trustees, told the paper she was blindsided by the mass disposal of books, and compared it to throwing away democracy. Last August, following the appointment of scores of conservative trustees to the college’s board, New College abolished its gender studies program, thanks to a motion from board member Christopher Rufo, a conservative activist who turned issues like purported “critical race theory” and “groomers” into central concerns of the GOP. The college has also dismantled its office of diversity and equity, and must comply with a recently signed state law forbidding state-funded schools that “promote or engage in political or social activism” and offer courses “based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States.” “It felt very much like New College was a little bubble in Florida,” environmental studies major Willem Aspinall, 19, told The Associated Press earlier this year. “Now it feels like that has kind of been burst.” As governor, DeSantis backed laws ostensibly seeking to remove books from school libraries that contained “pornography and prohibited materials harmful to minors,” policies that often had the effect of targeting books on LGBTQ+ people, race, and other themes conservatives deemed objectionable or inappropriate for children.