Navy Reinstates Previously Banned DEI Books Following Pentagon Policy Adjustment

In a significant policy shift, almost all of the 381 books previously withdrawn from the U.S. Naval Academy's library shelves have been restored. This action follows a reassessment directed by the Pentagon, which employed standardized search terms for evaluating materials related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Only approximately 20 titles remain under scrutiny, awaiting further evaluation by a Department of Defense (DoD) review panel.

Pentagon Memo Sparks Change

A directive dated May 9, issued by the Pentagon, established a deadline for military branches to identify and remove books from educational library collections within military institutions that address themes of diversity, race, and gender, as defined by specific Pentagon terms.

Before this directive, the Naval Academy had its own criteria for identifying DEI-related books. This initial review resulted in the inclusion of works like Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", Ibram X. Kendi's "How to Be an Antiracist", Elizabeth Reis's "Bodies in Doubt", and Carol Anderson's "White Rage" among those earmarked for removal.

Criticism and Review

According to a defense official, when the review was conducted using the DoD's specified search terms, only two or three titles from the Navy's previous list were flagged.

These 20 search terms, as outlined in the May memo, include concepts such as affirmative action, anti-racism, critical race theory, diversity in the workplace, and issues related to gender identity and transgender individuals.

Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, a Navy spokesperson, conveyed that the Navy has thoroughly examined library collections across all its educational institutions to conform to orders from both the President and the Defense Department. The Navy will set aside any materials judged potentially discordant with the military's foundational objectives, pending an official Defense Department review.

Military Libraries Across Branches

Hawkins further stated, "Nearly all of the books initially removed from the Nimitz Library are once again available to readers."

The guidelines within the Pentagon memo are applicable not only to military academies but also to other educational bodies operated by the military. This reevaluation process flagged fewer than 20 titles at each of the Navy's additional academic facilities.

Meanwhile, defense sources revealed that the Air Force also conducted reviews for its institutions, including the Air Force Academy, pulling several books. However, the exact number of titles identified remains uncertain.

Underlying Orders

The Pentagon's recent directives aim to align with an executive order from the Trump administration that seeks to curtail DEI programs.