Librarians in Department of Defense (DoD) schools, which serve around 66,000 children of U.S. service members, have been instructed to evaluate and possibly eliminate books that touch on themes like gender ideology and equity.
This directive, detailed in a memo obtained by Task & Purpose, has sparked worries due to its vague nature, lacking a specific list of titles or clear selection criteria.
Book Titles Under Scrutiny
Among the books facing scrutiny are Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner,” which delves into a boy’s experiences in war-torn Afghanistan amidst the Taliban’s ascent, and Vice President JD Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy,” which narrates his upbringing in a working-class Ohio community.
During a recent town hall at Osan Air Base in South Korea, superintendent Jacob Sherwood reassured attendees that no particular books have been officially marked for removal.
However, the memo from Lori Pickel, the acting chief academic officer at the time, provides ambiguous guidance, leaving librarians and staff to determine on their own what materials align with the directives regarding gender and equity.
The responses among librarians have varied widely.
Some have taken a comprehensive approach, discarding many titles, while others have opted for a more cautious route, limiting their removals to just a few books.
One librarian raised concerns about the inconsistencies in interpretation, highlighting the difficulties posed by the lack of precise directives that require personal judgment in the compliance process.
Policy and Compliance Measures
A memorandum issued on February 6 stated that the review of library materials must conform to former President Donald Trump’s executive orders, which mandate that gender identity should not be acknowledged over biological sex and aim to eradicate what some view as radical indoctrination associated with race and gender.
In line with these orders, librarians are required to pull both physical and digital copies of any literature dealing with issues of gender and equity, placing them into a restricted inventory off-limits to students.
Task & Purpose reached out for clarity on how withdrawn books would be handled, but DoDEA officials did not provide a detailed response.
A DoDEA representative emphasized the importance of educating students about diverse perspectives but cautioned that certain resources could contradict the spirit of recent directives.
Additionally, schools have been temporarily directed not to use materials that cover themes related to gender identity.
Initial deadlines for the book review process, originally set for February 18, have been extended to March 3, indicating that the compliance initiative is ongoing.
Furthermore, DoDEA policies are considering the establishment of a Challenged Materials Review Committee to address objections raised by school administrators, parents, or guardians regarding the educational resources.
One librarian mentioned that a procedure exists for removing outdated or damaged books, yet the applicability of these processes under the new directives remains uncertain.
While the Defense Logistics Agency usually manages the redistributions or donations of federal educational materials, questions linger about whether standard practices will continue to be followed.
Impact on Educational Resources
The repercussions of these book removals could vary considerably between schools, with high schools and middle schools likely facing more significant disruptions than elementary institutions.
For instance, a high school student in Europe has already compiled a list of books that were withdrawn from their library, touching on diverse themes like climate change, gender, and social justice.
- “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini
- “Hillbilly Elegy” by JD Vance
- “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
- “An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States” by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
- “Well-Read Black Girl” by Glory Edim
- “War: How Conflict Shaped Us” by Margaret MacMillan
Sherwood stated that he relies on legal advice for guidance on implementing these executive orders, acknowledging that there is no consolidated list of banned books.
He suggested that parents seeking specific information might consider filing Freedom of Information Act requests with DoDEA headquarters.
As DoDEA conducts its review, the broader conversation about book bans continues to gain traction across the United States.
According to reports from PEN America, thousands of instances were recorded in the previous school year, predominantly targeting literature focused on race and identity, especially that featuring marginalized voices and LGBTQ+ representation.
The librarian voiced significant concerns about the implications of these removals, highlighting the critical importance of providing students access to diverse narratives.
They expressed a commitment to navigating the delicate balance between compliance and advocating for educational integrity, drawing upon civil rights principles to underline the need for responsible practices.
Established in 1946, DoDEA serves military children around the world.
Recent changes in policy have led to discontent among military families, particularly in Europe, where many students have actively protested these measures, reflecting the tensions ignited by the new directives.
Visible changes in school environments have included the removal of displays celebrating cultural heritage months.
Additionally, after-school programs centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion have been restricted under the new guidelines, although activities run by host countries remain unaffected.
Source: Taskandpurpose.com