Overview

• Ryan Holiday, a frequent lecturer at the Naval Academy, was scheduled to speak on April 14 about wisdom and leadership.
• The academy canceled the lecture after Holiday declined a request to remove references to its recent removal of 381 books from its library.
• Books removed included titles by Maya Angelou and Ibram X. Kendi, part of a broader Pentagon directive targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion content.
• Holiday criticized the decision, arguing that critical thinking and exposure to challenging ideas are essential for military leadership.
• The Naval Academy described its actions as aligning with its apolitical mission to prepare midshipmen for military service.