The Battle for the Soul of Higher Education: A Documentary’s Urgent Warning
A Cultural War on Campus
The upcoming documentary First They Came For My College isn’t just a film—it’s a siren call. Directed by Patrick Bresnan, this verité-style documentary dives into the alleged ‘hostile takeover’ of New College of Florida, orchestrated by Governor Ron DeSantis. What makes this particularly fascinating is how it frames a microcosm of America’s broader culture wars, playing out in the very institutions meant to foster open inquiry and critical thinking. Personally, I think this film is more than a historical record; it’s a warning for what could happen next.
In my opinion, the timing of this release couldn’t be more critical. With DeSantis’s appointment of ultraconservative figures like Christopher Rufo to the college’s Board of Trustees, we’re witnessing a playbook for ideological reshaping of education. What many people don’t realize is that this isn’t just about one school—it’s a blueprint for silencing dissent and reshaping academia nationwide. If you take a step back and think about it, this is a battle for the soul of higher education itself.
The Human Cost of Ideological Warfare
One thing that immediately stands out is the film’s focus on the human cost of this ideological warfare. Students like Gabriella Batista describe a ‘culture of radical acceptance’ at New College, which the new administration attempted to dismantle. What this really suggests is that the fight isn’t just about policies—it’s about preserving a space where students can live authentically. From my perspective, the resistance mounted by faculty and students isn’t just heroic; it’s a defense of the very essence of education as a liberating force.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the film’s verité approach. By embedding with the student newspaper, outspoken professors, and students across the political spectrum, Bresnan captures the complexity of this conflict. What makes this approach powerful is that it humanizes the debate, showing real people grappling with real stakes. In my view, this isn’t just a documentary—it’s a mirror held up to America’s face, asking who we want to be.
Beyond New College: A National Wake-Up Call
This raises a deeper question: Can what happened at New College happen anywhere else? Personally, I think the answer is yes. The tactics used here—appointing ideologues, targeting diversity, and silencing dissent—aren’t unique to Florida. What’s truly alarming is how this strategy has already been exported to other states and institutions. If you look at the broader pattern, this is part of a national movement to reshape education in the image of a particular ideology.
From my perspective, the most urgent aspect of this film isn’t the political drama—it’s the human stories. Students and professors fighting to preserve their academic freedom aren’t just defending a school; they’re defending a way of thinking. What this implies for the future is that if we don’t protect these spaces, we risk losing more than institutions—we risk losing the very idea of education as a public good.
Conclusion: A Mirror for the Future
As I reflect on First They Came For My College, what strikes me most is its call to action. This isn’t just a film about a college in Florida—it’s a wake-up call for anyone who values intellectual freedom and diversity. In my opinion, the real battle isn’t between left and right; it’s between openness and oppression. What makes this moment pivotal is that we’re deciding what kind of future we want to build—or allow to be dismantled.
Personally, I think this documentary will be looked back on as a turning point. Just as we reflect on films from the civil rights era or the Vietnam War, I hope future generations will watch this and say, ‘I can’t believe that’s who we were. I can’t believe that’s what we did to our greatest institutions.’ The question is: Will we learn from this mirror before it’s too late?
