Overview

• The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has flagged Vice President JD Vance’s memoir, 'Hillbilly Elegy,' for compliance review, restricting student access during the process.
• The review stems from executive orders issued by President Donald Trump, which prohibit teaching 'divisive concepts' related to race, gender, and diversity in DoDEA schools.
• Other flagged materials include books on LGBTQ+ topics, immigration, and Black history, as well as instructional materials for cultural heritage months like Black History Month.
• Critics, including PEN America and educators, argue that the policy is a form of censorship limiting intellectual freedom and silencing marginalized voices.
• DoDEA officials have until March 3 to complete the review, but have not provided clarity on the criteria for removal or the future availability of the flagged books.