In a dramatic reversal, the U.S. Navy has reinstated nearly all of the 381 books it had removed from its libraries as part of President Trump’s sweeping anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) campaign. The initial purge, driven by executive orders targeting so-called “divisive concepts,” led to the removal of seminal works like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, and White Rage by Carol Anderson . The Pentagon’s subsequent review found that only about 20 of these titles warranted further examination, prompting the Navy to return the majority of the books to its shelves . This incident is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape military education and culture. At a recent West Point commencement speech, Trump touted his dismantling of DEI initiatives, claiming to have “liberated” the military from such programs . However, resistance within military academies is growing. Faculty and students are reportedly continuing DEI-related discussions in private, highlighting the tension between top-down directives and grassroots educational values . As the administration’s cultural policies face increasing scrutiny, this episode underscores the challenges of enforcing ideological conformity in institutions that value diverse perspectives and critical thinking. #Navy #BookBan #DEI
