College President Removes Painting Based on Content

This is a couple of weeks old, but still worth mentioning, especially with the increase in censorship and silencing of speech in the last few months.

Last month, Martha T. Nesbitt, president of Gainesville State College, had an adjunct art instructor’s painting — dealing with themes of racism and violence in American history — removed from a faculty art show. The painting depicts a Klansman and a lynching superimposed on a Confederate battle flag.

According to Insider Higher Ed, Nesbitt defended her actions.

“Sometimes a president has to make difficult decisions,” said Nesbitt in an official statement. “First and foremost, I have to consider the impact of an action on the health and reputation of the institution. In this instance, I made a judgment call that the negative results would outweigh the positive ones.”

The National Coalition Against Censorship reports that the painting drew protests spurred by a post on Southern Heritage Alerts.

Insider Higher Ed has more here.