A children’s book about the beauty of red hair, penned by none other than Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore, is facing scrutiny. This isn’t just another story about censorship; it’s a snapshot of a growing trend. Under the Trump administration, the landscape of American literature is shifting, with books like Moore’s finding themselves caught in the crosshairs of a burgeoning wave of book bans.
Book Bans in the US: The Rise of Censorship Under Trump
Actor Julianne Moore’s picture book, Freckleface Strawberry, was recently removed for “compliance review” from schools serving the families of US military and civilian defence personnel. The review, conducted by the US Department of Defense, is designed to ensure the books in its schools don’t contravene President Trump’s two executive orders regarding “gender ideology” and “racial indoctrination”, reported Unionjournalism. As part of the week-long review, in which access to all library books was denied, Moore’s book about a redheaded girl who learns to accept her freckles was flagged alongside others as “potentially related to gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology topics”.
While books are challenged much more often than they are successfully banned, last year 10,000 books were banned from public schools across America: almost triple the amount in 2023. The Pentagon has issued a list of books, or chapters from books, to be immediately pulled from Department of Defense schools. It includes course material on gender and sexuality for high-school students and a lesson for fifth graders about how immigration affects the US.
Executive Orders and Book Bans
“Gender Ideology” and “Racial Indoctrination” in the Classroom
Trump’s direct ban on “teaching ‘gender ideology’ and ‘critical race theory’ in the classroom” marks a new front in the censorship battles. If picture books about redheaded girls with freckles can be removed (even temporarily) for being problematically “ideological”, where will these book bans take the US – now and in the future? The Trump presidency, with its new language of censorship, has just begun.
The Pentagon’s List of Banned Books
The Pentagon has issued a list of books, or chapters from books, to be immediately pulled from Department of Defense schools. It includes course material on gender and sexuality for high-school students and a lesson for fifth graders about how immigration affects the US.
The Impact on Education
Book bans can limit student access to diverse perspectives and ideas. By restricting access to certain books, students may not be exposed to different viewpoints, which can hinder their ability to think critically and form their own opinions.
Publishers Push Back: A Joint Lawsuit Against Book Bans
The Idaho Lawsuit
Earlier this month, the so-called “Big Five” publishing houses – Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, Macmillan Publishers and Simon & Schuster – filed a joint lawsuit challenging the banning of books in US schools and public libraries. Their suit challenges Idaho’s House Bill 710, which became law on July 1 2024. It requires libraries to move materials considered harmful to children to an area for adults only, and forbids anyone under 18 from accessing library books with “sexual content”.
Classic Books Under Threat
Classics like Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five, and Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye are among the “harmful” books being banned under the bill.
The Authors’ Perspective
Nihar Malaviya, chief executive officer of Penguin Random House, called the Idaho bill “blatantly discriminatory, broad and vague”.
Historic Publisher Lawsuits: A Growing Trend
Nihar Malaviya said the Idaho lawsuit is “the third historic lawsuit” Penguin Random House has “initiated against book banning in just over a year”. It follows a 2023 lawsuit by Penguin Random House and PEN America (as well as five authors and two parents) against a Florida school board and district. PEN America called it a “first-of-its-kind challenge to unlawful censorship”.
This earlier lawsuit argued the removal or restriction of books about “race, racism and LGBTQ identities”, and those by non-white and/or LGBTQ authors, violated the US constitution’s First Amendment (protecting free speech) and the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment. The case is ongoing, though late last year a federal judge urged the Florida County to settle: as of September, it had spent over US$440,000 (and counting) of taxpayer money on attorney fees.
PEN America’s Challenge to Unlawful Censorship
An overview of the 2023 lawsuit filed by Penguin Random House and PEN America against a Florida school board and district
PEN America called it a “first-of-its-kind challenge to unlawful censorship”. This earlier lawsuit argued the removal or restriction of books about “race, racism and LGBTQ identities”, and those by non-white and/or LGBTQ authors, violated the US constitution’s First Amendment (protecting free speech) and the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment.
The case is ongoing, though late last year a federal judge urged the Florida County to settle: as of September, it had spent over US$440,000 (and counting) of taxpayer money on attorney fees.
Banning ‘any act’ of homosexuality
Under “Obscene materials” in Section 1 of the Idaho bill, “sexual conduct” is defined as: any act of masturbation, homosexuality, sexual intercourse, or physical contact with a person’s clothed or unclothed genitals
The Cost of Book Bans
The financial implications of book bans, including the $440,000 spent by a Florida county on attorney fees
Malaviya said the Idaho lawsuit is “the third historic lawsuit” Penguin Random House has “initiated against book banning in just over a year”. It follows a 2023 lawsuit by Penguin Random House and PEN America (as well as five authors and two parents) against a Florida school board and district.
Historic publisher lawsuits
This earlier lawsuit argued the removal or restriction of books about “race, racism and LGBTQ identities”, and those by non-white and/or LGBTQ authors, violated the US constitution’s First Amendment (protecting free speech) and the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment.
The First Amendment at Stake
An analysis of the First Amendment and its protection of free speech in the context of book bans
The US constitution’s First Amendment (protecting free speech) and the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment are critical in protecting the right to free speech and expression.
Implications for Free Speech and Education
How book bans can limit students’ access to diverse perspectives and ideas, and affect their educational experience
What are the implications of book bans for free speech and education in the US? The Trump presidency, with its new language of censorship, has just begun.
Julianne Moore’s Children’s Book and the Redhead Controversy
An examination of the removal of Julianne Moore’s children’s book from schools serving US military and civilian defense personnel
Moore’s book about a redheaded girl who learns to accept her freckles was flagged alongside others as “potentially related to gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology topics”.
The Redhead Controversy
An analysis of the controversy surrounding the book and its alleged “problematic” content
If picture books about redheaded girls with freckles can be removed (even temporarily) for being problematically “ideological”, where will these book bans take the US – now and in the future?
Conclusion
Conclusion: The Rise of Redhead-Dependent Book Bans and the Ongoing Debate on Free Speech
In a recent article, “Julianne Moore’s children’s book about redheads is under review,” we explored the growing trend of book bans in the United States under the Trump administration. At its core, this issue revolves around the controversy surrounding books that feature redheads, commonly associated with the skin tone of the LGBTQ+ community. The debate centers on whether authors and publishers should be held accountable for their depiction of a protected class, and whether they are crossing a line by embracing a historically marginalized group.
The significance of this topic lies in its implications for free speech and artistic expression. As the United States continues to grapple with the intersection of identity politics and artistic freedom, this issue raises important questions about the limits of expression and the impact of systemic oppression. The controversy surrounding Julianne Moore’s book highlights the tension between the desire to promote inclusivity and the need to protect against potential harm or offense. As we navigate this complex landscape, it is essential to remember that artistic expression is a fundamental right, and that the line between harm and artistic value should be carefully balanced.
The future of this debate is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the conversation around redheads in books will continue to spark important discussions about identity, representation, and the role of art in society. As we move forward, it is crucial that we prioritize open and honest dialogue, acknowledging both the potential harm and the potential benefits of artistic expression. By doing so, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and nuanced cultural landscape, where art and identity are celebrated in all their complexity. Ultimately, the battle for artistic freedom is not just about books; it’s about the very fabric of our society – and what we value in the stories we tell.