“Read the books they’re banning. That’s where the good stuff is,” – LeVar Burton (“Reading Rainbow”)
It’s been slightly over a month since President Donald Trump (“Home Alone”) took office, and he’s already banning books. Among those censored is Oscar winner Julianne Moore‘s (“Still Alice”) 2007 children’s book “Freckleface Strawberry.” It has been removed from schools operated by the Department of Defense (DOD). Moore announced the ban via her Instagram on Sunday, February 16th.
“It is a great shock for me to learn that my first book, Freckleface Strawberry, has been banned by the Trump Administration from schools run by the Department of Defense,” Moore wrote. “Freckleface Strawberry is a semi-autobiographical story about a seven year old girl who dislikes her freckles but eventually learns to live with them when she realizes that she is different “just like everybody else.” It is a book I wrote for my children and for other kids to remind them that we all struggle, but are united by our humanity and our community.”
Why “Freckleface Strawberry”?
Well, no one knows. We are all perplexed about how a children’s book about self-acceptance would be problematic. “… what is so controversial about this picture book that cause it to be banned by the US Government,” the author questions. “I am truly saddened and never thought I would see this in a country where freedom of speech and expression is a constitutional right.”
But the fact that the ban specifically targets DOD-run schools is an extra slap in the face given Moore’s childhood.
“I am particularly stunned because I am a proud graduate of Frankfurt American High School a #DOD school that once operated in Frankfurt, Germany,” she adds. “I grew up with a father who is a Vietnam veteran and spent his career in the #USArmy. I could not be prouder of him and his service to our country. It is galling for me to realize that kids like me, growing up with a parent in the service and attending a @dodea_edu school will not have access to a book written by someone whose life experience is so similar to their own.”
Pen America
The non-profit literary activist group Pen America brought the ban to Moore’s attention through their post about it. Pen America also noted Kathleen Krull’s picture book about the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “No Truth Without Ruth,” and Amy Ellis Nutt’s “Becoming Nicole” were removed as well.
But Pen isn’t the only one backing up Moore. Michelle Pfeiffer (“Hairspray”) left the comment “How can we get this book?” Since buying banned books will be more important than ever in the coming years. Even though the ban is only for DOD schools, it’s only a matter of time before they come after “Freckleface Strawberry” elsewhere.
You can get your copy of this obscene filth here.
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