The removal of race- and gender-related books and curricula by the Department of Defense’s school system for children of military families has prompted a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union. The organization claims that these actions violate students’ First Amendment rights by implementing government censorship. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in northeast Virginia, alleges that the Department of Defense Education Activity eliminated educational materials in accordance with an executive order from President Donald Trump. This order prohibits the promotion of theories deemed “un-American,” divisive, discriminatory, radical, extremist, and irrational, especially those connected to race and gender.
Among the books removed from some school libraries, as noted by the ACLU, are “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini, and “Hillbilly Elegy” by Vice President JD Vance. Additionally, the lawsuit highlights the removal of curricular content such as a chapter on sexuality and gender for Advanced Placement psychology courses, and readings on immigration for fourth and fifth graders. The legal action represents 12 students from six families attending schools in Virginia, Kentucky, Italy, and Japan.
The litigation underscores concerns about access to diverse educational materials, with parents like Natalie Tolley, a plaintiff representing her three children, emphasizing the importance of books that both reflect students’ personal experiences and broaden their understanding of diversity. Apart from the changes in the Department of Defense’s prekindergarten through 12th-grade programs, similar shifts have occurred in military colleges and universities. Approximately 380 books were removed from the U.S. Naval Academy’s library in April, and officials have been instructed to review collections at Army and Air Force libraries for materials related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A spokesperson for the Defense Department’s school system stated that the institution does not comment on ongoing litigation.
Impact on Daily Life
The recent actions taken by the Department of Defense’s school system could have far-reaching implications for students and educators within military families. By restricting access to certain books and educational materials, the policy may limit exposure to diverse perspectives and ideas, which are valuable for fostering critical thinking and empathy among students. Such limitations could affect students’ ability to engage in informed discussions on complex social issues, potentially impacting their social development and understanding of the world.
For educators, these changes may result in challenges when designing curricula that aim to provide a comprehensive education. Teachers might find themselves navigating complex legal and institutional frameworks to ensure they adhere to the executive order while striving to offer a balanced educational experience. This situation could lead to increased scrutiny of educational content and create an atmosphere of uncertainty in classrooms, ultimately affecting the quality of education provided to students.