By Ramon Robinson, Contributor
President Donald Trump’s latest attack on so-called “woke” culture has escalated to extreme censorship that should alarm anyone who values free speech, self-identification, and equal opportunity. His administration has compiled a massive list of banned words that federal agencies are instructed to avoid, including “Black,” “equity,” “inclusion,” “women,” “disabilities,” “mental health,” and “oppression.”
While Trump’s supporters argue that these bans target “woke ideology,” the reality is far more disturbing. This is an attempt to erase language that acknowledges inequality, restrict how people identify, and undermine the ability to address systemic issues. This isn’t just about silencing certain phrases—it’s about controlling the narrative and denying the very existence of marginalized communities.
Censorship That Strips Away Identity
Words shape reality, and banning them is an attempt to erase the people and struggles they represent. When the government declares that the word “Black” can no longer be used as an identifier, it isn’t just a political move—it’s an erasure of identity. For centuries, Black Americans have fought for recognition, from being classified as property to demanding that their contributions to this country be acknowledged. Now, the federal government wants to dictate how people define themselves, reinforcing the same historical patterns of exclusion and oppression.
The same applies to “women”—another word on the banned list. This means that policies aimed at supporting women’s rights, women’s health, or women in leadership will no longer be able to explicitly reference them. It’s a move that not only ignores gender disparities but also threatens protections that have taken decades to establish.
Perhaps even more shocking is the ban on “disabilities” and “mental health.” Removing these words makes it harder to advocate for accessibility, funding for disability services, and workplace protections. If a problem can’t be named, it can’t be addressed—leaving millions of disabled Americans vulnerable to exclusion and neglect.
Equity and Inclusion Under Attack
While media discussions around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have often focused on diversity, Trump’s censorship of “equity” and “inclusion” is far more insidious. Equity ensures that resources and opportunities are fairly distributed, while inclusion ensures that no one is intentionally left out. These aren’t radical ideas—they are the foundation of a functioning society where people aren’t shut out because of race, disability, gender, or background.
By banning these terms, Trump is opening the door for government agencies, federal contractors, and even private businesses to exclude people without accountability. Without the language of equity and inclusion, institutions can justify discriminatory hiring practices, deny accommodations to disabled employees, or ignore racial disparities in pay.
It’s no surprise that many of the people who have benefited the most from DEI programs aren’t just Black Americans, but white women.
Who Benefits Most from DEI? The Numbers Speak for Themselves
Despite conservative efforts to frame DEI as a race-based initiative, statistics show that white women have been the primary beneficiaries of affirmative action and workplace equity policies.
Educational Advancements: In 1960, women earned only 35.3% of all college degrees. Thanks to equity policies, by 1982, they reached parity with men, and today, they surpass men in both college admissions and graduation rates. In 2012, 72% of white women were enrolled in college compared to 62% of white men.
Workplace Representation: White women made the largest percentage increase in board seats gained in both Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies following the rise of DEI initiatives.
Affirmative Action in Employment: 6 million women and 5 million minority workers have been promoted to higher occupational classifications due to affirmative action policies.
Pay Disparities: In 2019, white women’s weekly earnings ($840) were higher than those of Black women ($704) and Black men ($769).
These numbers make it clear: while DEI is under attack for allegedly prioritizing Black and Brown communities, white women have benefited the most.
Extreme Censorship That Blocks Conversations on Racism and Justice
Trump’s word bans don’t stop at identity—they go as far as restricting discussions on “racism,” “racial justice,” and “oppression.” These are fundamental terms for addressing inequalities that are deeply embedded in American history. Erasing these words from federal use doesn’t erase the problems—they just make it harder to fight them.
Even terms related to climate and health equity, such as “clean energy,” “climate crisis,” and “health disparity,” have been blacklisted. This isn’t just a political stunt—it’s an effort to strip away language that challenges corporate and government policies that harm marginalized communities.
But the list goes even further into absurdity. “Pronouns” are banned, alongside words like “they/them,” “non-binary,” and “gender identity.” This not only directly targets LGBTQ individuals but also fuels a broader attack on personal autonomy. If the government can decide how you can identify yourself, what’s next?
The Full List of Banned Words: A Glimpse Into the Future of Authoritarianism
To understand the sheer scale of this censorship, here are just some of the hundreds of words Trump’s administration is banning from federal use: