Damn the Torpedoes! Fighting Book Bans & Erasure at the Naval Academy
This isn’t just about books on a shelf. This is about truth. It’s about who gets to be seen as American, who gets to belong, and who gets to lead.
“Damn the torpedoes!”
It’s a phrase meant to signal courage in the face of adversity and taught at the U.S. Naval Academy.
But today, those words feel heavy with irony.
If you follow me on LinkedIn, you may have seen my post about the nearly 400 books recently pulled from the shelves at the U.S. Naval Academy’s library ahead of a visit from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Many of the removed books focused on race, gender, identity, and diversity. It’s not the first wave of censorship, and sadly, it likely won’t be the last. But this one hits different.
This one feels personal.
As a Black woman and lifelong educational leader, I’ve spent my life navigating a system that often sees me as an exception instead of the norm, both personally and professionally within the K-12 system. I’ve dedicated my career advocating for students and teachers as part of a collective push toward equity in classrooms, communities, and this country. To see these efforts now be publicly dismantled at the federal level with a dangerous trickle down effect into our schools and universities is disheartening and infuriating.
My oldest son is a Naval Academy graduate and now a U.S. Navy pilot, carrying on a legacy of service that stretches back generations. While at the Academy, he served on the Diversity Leadership Group—working to ensure that students who looked like him, or who had similar experiences of marginalization, felt supported, heard, and empowered. He did this not to divide, but to unite. He did this because leadership that reflects the diversity of our country is stronger.
The removal of DEI-focused initiatives and literature undermines those efforts and sends a damaging message to current and future midshipmen—not just Black students, but Latinx, Asian American, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and all students from underrepresented backgrounds who have historically had to fight for a seat at the table.
So when I see DEI-focused books quietly removed from the shelves of arguably the highest education institution, I know what it really means.
And I know I’m not the only one.
It’s not about the books.
It’s about whose stories are allowed to be told truthfully.
It’s about who belongs.
It’s about who gets to lead.
And I believe we—educators, parents, students, veterans, citizens—have a responsibility to push back.
The Importance of DEI in Military Institutions
Diversity within the military is not just about representation; it's about effectiveness, cohesion, and reflecting the values of the nation it serves. Understanding the current landscape is crucial to ensure that leadership reflects the diversity of its ranks and that we as a country do not regress to a time when such barriers were seemingly insurmountable.
Naval Academy Enrollment: As of recent data, the enrolled student population at the United States Naval Academy is 59.2% White, 13.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.51% Two or More Races, 8.85% Asian, and 6% Black or African American. Data USA
Active-Duty Navy Members: The Navy is the most racially diverse military branch, with 1.7 white service members for every non-white service member. USAFacts
Officer Representation: While racial minorities currently make up 52% of enlisted Navy service members, only 31% of its officers are minorities. KSL News
The removal of DEI-focused literature and the broader crackdown on diversity initiatives send a troubling message. It's not just about books or programs; it's about acknowledging and addressing the systemic barriers that have historically marginalized certain groups. It dishonors the legacy of barrier-breaking Black naval heroes like Jesse L. Brown, the Navy’s first Black aviator, and Vice Admiral Samuel Gravely, the first Black man to command a Navy warship and reach flag rank. It also disrespects countless other leaders of color—Filipino stewards turned sailors, Japanese American WWII veterans who served in spite of internment, Latino naval officers rising through the ranks—whose contributions to the military are too often left untold.
Take Action
Silence can not be the response to these divisive actions of our government leaders. Our military's strength lies in its diversity, and it's imperative that we continue to champion initiatives that promote inclusivity and representation. We must stand against these actions and advocate for the preservation and advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all institutions.
When we erase DEI from libraries, we don’t just lose ideas—we lose connection. We lose truth. We lose the stories that reflect the real fabric of our armed forces and our nation.
So, what do we do?
We fight back—in every way we can!
Here are 6 categories of action, no matter your role or level of influence:
1. Stay Informed & Speak Out Publicly
This move didn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s part of a wider, coordinated rollback of diversity efforts in education, government, and military spaces.
Read up. Share reputable sources (I’ve linked several below).
Use your voice. Social media, op-eds, podcasts, town halls—visibility matters. Share your story or amplify others who are directly impacted.
Talk about it with your friends, family, and networks.
Staying silent is what they’re hoping for. Awareness is the first step to action.
2. Support Students & Staff on the Inside
Not everyone can or will speak out. That’s why external support matters. My son and others like him did the work of building belonging. They shouldn’t have to watch that work be dismantled.
Reach out to students at military academies. Let them know we see them and support them.
Offer to mentor or connect them to resources.
If you’re an alum, speak up within alumni networks and challenge your institutions to uphold their stated values.
3. Contact Leaders & Institutions Directly
Don’t underestimate the power of a well-crafted letter or a flood of emails.
Write to Naval Academy leadership. Ask for transparency. Ask them to explain how these decisions align with the Academy's mission to prepare leaders of character.
Reach out to elected officials and tell them DEI is not a threat—it’s a leadership imperative.
If you're a donor or partner of any institution, leverage your influence.
4. Leverage Your Local Power
Change doesn’t only happen at the federal level. In fact, many of these anti-DEI efforts start at the state and local level. Your voice matters where you live, too.
Attend school board and city council meetings.
Support or run for positions that impact policy.
Advocate for transparency in local education and hiring practices.
5. Push Back with Stories and Data
We must show not only what’s being lost but also what’s already been gained.
Talk about the impact Black service members have made (e.g., Jesse L. Brown, Vice Admiral Samuel Gravely, Michelle Howard).
Share the research: Students of all backgrounds benefit from diverse educators and inclusive environments.
Uplift the voices of those most impacted—especially students and staff of color.
6. Vote and Organize
This is an election year. Don’t sit it out.
Support candidates who commit to DEI and inclusive education.
Join local or national groups working to protect civil rights and public education.
Use your voice, your vote, and your dollars intentionally.
This Isn’t the First Time
Let me be clear - this isn’t a new battle. This isn’t just about Black service members. When DEI is attacked, every marginalized group loses. Because the foundation of DEI in American institutions—especially in federal agencies and the military—stems from the hard-fought victories of the Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 laid the legal groundwork not only for Black Americans, but also for women, immigrants, people with disabilities, religious minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community to claim their rights.
This isn’t just about books on a shelf. This is about truth. It’s about who gets to be seen as American, who gets to belong, and who gets to lead.
So when you see DEI under fire, know this: it’s not just about “wokeness” or bureaucracy. It’s about dismantling the very protections that have allowed millions of Americans to pursue opportunity, dignity, and representation.
That’s why they’re coming after it so hard. And that’s why we can’t stop fighting. My parents and ancestors showed me the power of community. The power of truth. And the power of unapologetic, real talk.
Let’s keep fighting to ensure that everyone gets to see themselves in our history and future.
📌 Referenced Resources & Links:
🔗 WSJ: The Education Department and the KKK
🔗 Reason Magazine: The KKK's Push for a Federal Education Department
🔗 The Atlantic: What Does the Department of Education Actually Do?
🔗 University of Notre Dame Press: The Department of Education Battle, 1918–1932
🔗 ProPublica: How Trump’s Administration Is Gutting Education Research
🔗 NCTQ: How Black Teachers Make a Difference
🔗 WHYY: The Role-Model Effect of Black Teachers
🔗 UNC School of Education: The Power of a Black Teacher
🔗 Nonprofit Quarterly: Why Black Teachers Matter
🔗 NEA: Teachers' Unions and Social Justice
#RepresentationMatters #RealTalkEducation #EquityInLeadership #BlackVoicesInService #TruthTellers
