I am writing to express my disappointment and fear regarding the President’s recent directives to DoDEA schools worldwide banning books, cultural celebrations, and American heroes and icons.
I am one of your constituents and a retired DoDEA teacher who faithfully served my country for years through my civilian service, educating the children of our military families stationed overseas. The DoDEA education system is one of the nation's most respected, multicultural, and diverse. The strength of our military is built on the multiethnic and inclusive family and educational support system supported by DoDEA.
Military families are built with spouses from all over the world. Military personnel stationed in overseas assignments marry from the communities they live in. Those spouses leave their original families and home countries to build lives as Americans. They know they are not leaving their cultures and traditions behind because they understand that America respects diversity. They leave their home countries and take their culture with them. Our DoDEA schools respect and celebrate those cultures in our communities and classrooms. Exposure to new and different cultures is essential and integral to the development of children growing up to be active participants in a multicultural society. Why disrespect the diversity the military fosters? Why tell families who have already sacrificed so much in the service of their country, and in many cases their new country, that who they are isn’t essential or respected?
Military families need military families. They trust, rely, and depend on one another. They must. Eliminating any recognition of cultural differences endangers that balance. How does this help anyone, and how does this strengthen our armed forces?
How does banning all references to immigration, black history, LGBTQ+, and sex education help develop an inclusive and accepting military? How do posters of great women without a poster honoring a male empower our young women to aspire to their fullest potential? Is this directive intended to make clear to our girls that they must compete with a man to be relevant? To ban pictures and celebrations of an iconic champion of civil rights is racist, pure, and straightforward. Why? Is that message intended to demoralize black Americans serving in the military? How does that build an inclusive fighting force? Is a white soldier not to have the back of a black soldier?
My colleagues and I are outraged and have many questions that have not been addressed or answered. I am requesting a pause in implementing these policies in our DoDEA schools. We also ask that the DoD provide specific implementation guidelines created in partnership with DoDEA leaders to ensure no censorship or discrimination.
You are my representative, and I expect you will support military personnel, families, and DoDEA teachers and administrators. This is not an unreasonable expectation.
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