Renowned actress Julianne Moore expressed her shock on Instagram regarding the removal of her children’s book, “Freckleface Strawberry,” from 160 Department of Defense schools. This decision, reflecting new policies under the Trump administration, has sparked controversy over censorship in children’s literature. Moore highlighted the personal significance of her book, which promotes embracing uniqueness, and criticized the broader implications of banning stories that resonate with military families. The move aligns with a campaign against LGBTQ+ themes in educational materials.
Renowned actress Julianne Moore, not typically associated with social media controversies, took to Instagram this past Sunday to express her deep sense of ‘shock’ over a surprising ruling from the Trump administration. Currently starring in The Room Next Door directed by Pedro Almodóvar, her message has sparked significant discussion.
Moore’s children’s book, Freckleface Strawberry (known as Miss Strawberry in French), which she published in 2007, has been removed from the libraries of approximately 160 schools overseen by the Department of Defense. These institutions, located across the United States, Europe, and the Pacific, serve around 70,000 students each year, most of whom are children of military families.
The Journey of a Unique Little Girl
According to Moore, ‘Miss Strawberry is a semi-autobiographical tale of a seven-year-old girl who struggles with her freckles but learns to embrace her uniqueness, realizing that everyone is different in their own way.’ She further states, ‘This book was created for my own children and for all children to remind them that we all face challenges, but it is our shared humanity and sense of community that brings us together.’
The actress was made aware of this decision through Pen America, an NGO highlighting that many children’s books are facing scrutiny under the new Republican administration. Other titles under fire include No Truth Without Ruth, a tribute to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Becoming Nicole, which narrates the story of a teenage girl’s gender transition, written by journalist Amy Ellis Nutt.
I never thought I would see this in a country where freedom of speech and expression is a constitutional right.
I never thought I would see this in a country where freedom of speech and expression is a constitutional right.
Julianne Moore
As reported by The Guardian on February 13, these titles, along with many others, are currently suspended following a memo from the Department of Defense. This memo suggests that the books could ‘potentially address topics related to gender ideology or discriminatory equity’, according to a confidential document obtained by the publication.
Moore’s personal connection to this issue runs deep. As the daughter of a Vietnam War veteran who attended a high school previously managed by the Department of Defense in Frankfurt, Germany, she feels particularly affected. She laments, ‘It pains me to see that children, like me, who grow up with a military parent and attend military schools, are denied access to a book that reflects their life experiences.’
Trump’s Battle Against ‘Transgender Ideology’
In her closing remarks, Moore states, ‘I can’t help but question what makes this picture book so controversial that it warrants a ban by the U.S. government.’ She adds, ‘This situation saddens me greatly, and I never imagined witnessing such actions in a country that upholds freedom of speech and expression as a constitutional right.’
This literary ‘purge’ appears to be a direct result of Donald Trump’s policies aimed at the LGBTQ+ community since his return to political prominence. On his inauguration day, the former president signed an order to ‘eliminate’ ‘transgender ideology’ from the U.S. military.
In a memo released on February 10, the Department of Defense announced a halt to the recruitment of transgender individuals and any gender transition procedures for military personnel, stating, ‘All non-scheduled, scheduled, or planned medical procedures to facilitate or conduct a gender transition are suspended for military personnel.’