Pentagon Orders Book of DEI and Gender Ideology to be Pulled from Libraries at US Military Bases
Specific books and materials with a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as well as gender ideology are in the process of being removed at military libraries throughout the United States, Pentagon officials said. This has set off a national debate and deepened the ever-widening political fractures related to the use of cultural and educational materials in federal facilities, U.S. military included.
That decision came after growing criticism from lawmakers and political groups who have been questioning whether DEI-focused literature and other materials on gender identity are consistent with the military’s mission. Critics say such a message may sow division, politicize the ranks and distract from the military’s fundamental purpose — combat readiness and national defense. The removal supporters say they want to keep the morale-eroding and values-opposite materials out of this military culture.
In light of those concerns, the DoD reviewed the books and digital media available in its military libraries and learning centers. According to the findings, an instruction was published to initiate the removal or access control of some of the titles. The Pentagon has not provided a full list of the books it is singling out, but early media reports indicate that books including “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi, “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe and “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo are among those being taken out of circulation or reconsidered.
The deprogramming of these titles has received condemnation from a varied group of advocacy groups, veterans' associations and defenders of free expression. Opponents of the move say it amounts to censorship and can send a damaging message to minority members of the service and to those in the L.G.B.T.Q.+ community. A number of human rights groups have said that by banning such materials, the Pentagon may be undoing years of work to make the armed forces more inclusive and to better reflect the diversity of American society.
Officials at civil liberties organizations, meanwhile, worried about what they see as politically motivated attempts to limit what information can reach troops. Some critics have compared the book removals to the politicization of education and of knowledge more broadly that has taken place elsewhere in institutions. And veteran advocacy groups have pushed back, saying that the removal of inclusive and identity literature overlooks the reality of the lives of many members of the military.
This is a cause that is clearly being pursued within the context of broader cultural and legislative discussions around the United States. In recent years, multiple states have passed laws seeking to restrict the teaching or discussion of race, privilege, gender identity and other topics in schools and in public programs. The Pentagon’s move seems to mirror broader ideological battles playing out throughout the federal bureaucracy and armed forces.
The DOD has defended the removals as necessary to maintain unit cohesion and discipline, but it is unclear how lasting the effect of removals will be. Its critics worry that the move will make discussion of such issues less open, and that it will reduce access to educational materials that can help service members understand and support one another.
The order is being enforced at military facilities around the country, and advocates and observers said they would closely monitor for any resistance among the ranks or for more clampdowns. And, on a related note, discussions persist over the use of DEI initiatives and conversation on gender identity in molding the character and culture of our military.
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