As recently as June 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense added 13 “woke” books to a growing number banned from more than 100 schools that serve children of active-duty and civilian military personnel.
The DoD alleges the more than 500 banned books promote “woke” ideologies about race, gender, sex and sexuality. Says who?
The banning of books has become a popular political tool used to erase, rewrite and reject realities and distort truth — particularly when it comes to Black history.
As Black woman and “woke” Missouri resident, I am not surprised, though still disturbed to see our state ranked third behind Florida and Texas for states with the most books banned. Regardless of ideology or political beliefs, banning books is censorship. It limits access to information, restricts freedom and suppresses texts based on content, ideas or viewpoints. The argument that books are banned “to protect students” is disingenuous. Ensuring age-appropriate materials of classroom materials has always been a pillar of the educational system.
Like many other cities across the nation, St. Louis has a complex, complicated and challenging history steeped in racial division not easily forgotten or healed.
Although I am not a native of St. Louis, I am well aware of the landmark case that originated in St. Louis: The Dred Scott decision. In 1857, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that African Americans, whether freed or enslaved, were not citizens and therefore had no right to sue in federal court.
It also declared that Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in the territories, effectively nullifying the Missouri Compromise. This infamous decision, born out of a courageous enslaved man’s fight for freedom, inflamed tensions between pro- and anti slavery factions.
I’ve heard and read stories about the Delmar Divide, a well-known socio-economic and racial boundary that runs along Delmar Boulevard, which separates predominantly Black neighborhoods to the north from predominantly white neighborhoods to the south.
Its historical roots lie in segregationist policies like redlining, discriminatory housing practices and urban development decisions that fueled disparities in wealth, education, and access to resources. The Delmar Divide symbolizes ongoing challenges related to racial inequality and economic segregation in St. Louis, prompting community efforts and initiatives aimed at promoting greater equity and integration across the city.
So, what does the Delmar Divide have to do with the banning of books and Missouri’s leading role in efforts in erasing so-called “woke” literature? In St. Louis and across the nation, these bans intersect with issues of race, representation and marginalization of certain voices. Targeting Black literature, in particular, is rooted in racism and an obvious attempt to suppress narratives, restrict students’ rights to information, and threaten the First Amendment right to free speech. Removing books by Black authors erases diverse perspectives, perpetuates systemic inequalities and fosters an environment of censorship and intolerance.
This deepens the racial divide, hinders understanding and empathy, reinforces stereotypes and denies opportunities for certain groups to share their stories and experiences, ultimately undermining efforts toward racial equity and cultural inclusion.
The motives behind banning “woke” books ultimately serve to deepen racial divides in St. Louis and in cities across the country. These actions obstruct inclusivity and equality, ultimately denying students and communities the opportunity to engage with and learn from a full spectrum of cultural and historical narratives.
Despite ongoing efforts in St. Louis by organizations like the Racial Healing + Justice Fund and the Delmar Divide project, which strive to address systemic racism, promote community healing, and foster collaboration, much more work remains.
The road to healing and peace requires intentionality and a commitment to dismantle barriers, build bridges and confront censorship. Only then can we begin to lessen this “Deep Divide” and move toward an equitable and united St. Louis.
Dr. Stacy R. Owens is the CEO and founder of Lift To Rise, LLC.