Military Families for Free Expression (MFFE), a non-partisan coalition of military-connected families standing up against censorship and book bans, announced support for the Stop Censoring Military Families Act, introduced by Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA). The coalition also voiced opposition to the recently introduced No Woke Indoctrination of Military Kids Act from Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC).
“Military families send our loved ones to defend freedom, yet that same freedom is under threat right here in our military schools and libraries,” said Kellie A., founding member of MFFE and spouse of an active duty servicemember. “This is not about politics. Lifting the DoDEA book ban will allow students to learn from perspectives different from their own, fostering critical thinking and ensuring that our children are not further marginalized by censorship.
“The last thing military families need is Pentagon leadership dictating what books can be on the library shelves or what educators can teach. The Stop Censoring Military Families Act is a commonsense step to restore stability and trust in our schools and libraries by building on existing processes that allow for input from our community. In contrast, Representative Mace’s bill is political theater that ignores the voices of military families,” said Libby Jamison, founding member of MFFE and a military family member.
The Stop Censoring Military Families Act would restore access to books removed from Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)schools and block political appointees from making decisions about what books can be read on military installations and in DODEA schools. The legislation also calls for a Government Accountability Office study on the feasibility of creating an independent body to make curricula determinations at DoDEA schools.
The No Woke Indoctrination of Military Kids Act would bar DoDEA schools from teaching topics labeled “critical race theory” and restrict diversity, equity, inclusion, and affinity programming, measures that would politicize classrooms and chill meaningful education and learning opportunities.
Military families, who must already navigate the unique demands of military life, deserve schools that prioritize educational quality over political agendas. That’s why MFFE supports the Stop Censoring Military Families Act that returns libraries and lesson plans to teachers and families.
“Military children have a right, protected by their parents in uniform, to explore a wide range of resources as they grow into informed citizens.” said Kelly W., founding member of MFFE and spouse of a veteran. “The issue at hand is ultimately one of parents’ rights. Military leadership is not qualified to determine nor is it their duty to tell parents what their children can and cannot learn or read. Book bans and bills like the No Woke Indoctrination of Military Kids Act have nothing to do with the content of the books at issue and everything to do with forcing military families to relinquish their individual freedoms to the whims of politicians.”
MFFE urges lawmakers to:
Pass the Stop Censoring Military Families Act to reverse book bans and protect the fundamental freedom to read and learn.
Reject the No Woke Indoctrination of Military Kids Act as an unnecessary intrusion into classrooms and education.
Facilitate the participation of military-connected families in education policy decisions.
Military-connected families should contact their representatives and demand protection for their children’s right to learn, read, and grow without political interference.
Want to learn more about MFFE and efforts at the national and state level to push back on censorship?
Join other military-connected families and allies at these events to celebrate Banned Books Week and stand up against censorship:
October 5th at 4PM ET
October 8th at 7PM ET
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