Controversial purge targets Maya Angelou, Holocaust texts at Nimitz Library
New York, N.Y. – The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, has removed 381 books from its Nimitz Library, sparking debate over censorship and academic freedom.
The purge, ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in March 2025, targeted works addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), including Maya Angelou’s memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Memorializing the Holocaust by Janet Jacobs. The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive orders to eliminate DEI-related materials from federal institutions.
Context of the Removal
The decision stems from a January 2025 executive order by Trump, initially aimed at K-12 schools, prohibiting curricula promoting DEI or critical race theory. Although military academies are colleges, Hegseth extended the directive to the Naval Academy, ordering a review of Nimitz Library’s 590,000-volume collection. On March 31, 2025, nearly 400 titles were removed, including works on civil rights, feminism, racism, and Holocaust studies. Notably, Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf remains available, with two copies still on the shelves, prompting criticism for inconsistent standards.
The Naval Academy justified the removals as compliance with Trump’s directives, emphasizing its mission to develop midshipmen “morally, mentally, and physically.” A spokesperson highlighted the library’s extensive collection, framing the purge as minor. However, critics argue the removals undermine intellectual rigor and historical understanding essential for future naval officers.
Community and Alumni Response
In response, Annapolis residents and Naval Academy alumni launched Operation Caged Bird, named after Angelou’s memoir, to provide banned books to students for free. On April 15, 2025, dozens gathered in Annapolis for an eight-hour public reading of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, organized by Tracey Ernst, a local educator. Participants wore stickers noting the book’s 357th place on the removal list, symbolizing resistance to censorship.
The initiative has distributed titles like The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid and Horse by Geraldine Brooks to midshipmen. Operation Caged Bird aims to ensure students access diverse perspectives, countering what organizers call an attack on intellectual freedom. “These books are critical for understanding history and humanity,” said Ernst, emphasizing their relevance to military leadership.
Broader Implications
The purge has drawn national attention, with lawmakers and civil rights groups condemning the removals. Senator Chuck Schumer called the action “despicable,” noting the removal of Holocaust-related texts alongside Angelou’s work. The Caucus of African American Leaders protested outside the Naval Academy on April 17, 2025, arguing the bans send a harmful message to future military leaders. Legal groups, including the Lambda Legal Defense Fund, labeled the move “unconstitutional censorship,” citing its impact on works by Black and LGBTQ authors.
Conversely, some defend the removals, arguing DEI materials promote divisive ideologies. Hegseth has publicly criticized the phrase “diversity is our strength,” calling it detrimental to military cohesion. The inclusion of The Bell Curve, which claims genetic intelligence differences across races, while banning its critique, has fueled accusations of ideological bias.
Academic and Historical Concerns
Scholars worry the purge limits exposure to critical historical narratives. Angelou’s memoir, a staple in American literature, details her experiences with racism and trauma in the Jim Crow South, offering insights into resilience and identity. Similarly, Jacobs’ Memorializing the Holocaust examines gender in Holocaust remembrance, a vital perspective for understanding genocide. Removing such works, critics argue, weakens the Naval Academy’s academic integrity and its ability to prepare officers for diverse global challenges.
The retention of Mein Kampf has intensified scrutiny. Ryan Holiday, an author whose lecture was canceled after planning to address the bans, noted that while Hitler’s text has historical value, its presence alongside the removal of Angelou’s work is “inexplicable.” The controversy has prompted comparisons to McCarthy-era censorship, with fears of broader Pentagon content purges, including articles on Jackie Robinson and September 11.
Naval Academy Bans 381 Books, as Trump Anti-DEI Efforts Unfold (May 7, 2025)
#NavalAcademy #BookBans #MayaAngelou #Holocaust #DEI
Tags: Naval Academy, book ban, Maya Angelou, Holocaust, Nimitz Library,
DEI, censorship, Operation Caged Bird, Pete Hegseth, Trump
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