Now this was funny.
Julianne Moore, the renowned actress and author, expressed her disbelief after learning that her children’s book Freckleface Strawberry was banned by Trump and the Department of Defense (DoD) schools. The book was part of a broader list of titles removed from DoD schools, which also included works like No Truth Without Ruth by Kathleen Krull and Becoming Nicole by Ellis Nutt. These books were removed as part of a review by the DoD to ensure that materials were not promoting what it considers “gender ideology” or “discriminatory equity ideology.”
Moore took to Instagram to express her shock, revealing that she never expected her debut children’s book, a semi-autobiographical story about a young girl learning to embrace her unique freckles, to be banned. She shared that the book was meant to teach children about the importance of self-acceptance, emphasizing that we are all different, yet united in our humanity.
The DoD memo, obtained by The Guardian, stated that these books were moved to a professional collection for further evaluation and that access was restricted to professional staff. This move has sparked outrage among many, including Moore, who questioned why a simple children’s story about self-acceptance would be deemed controversial by the government.
While some may argue that the removal of these books reflects an effort to shield children from content they deem inappropriate, the decision has raised concerns about freedom of speech and expression. Moore, joined by other celebrities like Bella Thorne and Michelle Pfeiffer, voiced her disappointment, with Pfeiffer even asking where she could buy a copy to support the author.
The controversy surrounding this ban highlights a growing tension between parents, educators, and government authorities over what content is appropriate for children in public schools. It serves as a reminder that the role of government in shaping educational content is always a subject of debate, particularly when it comes to issues surrounding personal identity and values.