Thinking about banned words

So much has happened in the first few months of the return of the Trump administration, much of it angering, troubling, and / or ridiculous. However, the most disturbing executive order has been the banning of over two hundred and fifty words from federal documents and websites. Apparently, Trump is trying to eliminate any hint of “wokeness.” Some words and phrases on the list are unsurprising, such as "diversity," "equity," "inclusion," or anything associated with "racism." “White,” “male,” and “heterosexual” have not been banned. “Black,” “women,” and “LGBTQ” have been. Hmmm, I see a pattern.

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One of the banned words that struck me as ridiculous is “breastfeed.” Whether you do it or not or approve of it, banning the word is an overreach. What is “woke” about breastfeeding, an act that has been a part of humanity since – well – humanity? Will "breastfed" be next on the list, as a prelude to denying that any such thing has ever occurred?

Like "COVID19," which is also on the list of banned words. Is eliminating the COVID19 from federal documents going to make us forget that a pandemic occurred?

Some might not take this list of banned words seriously. However, we’d be foolish not to. Language is a powerful weapon. Silencing people is a perfect way to control them. I wonder how federal employees feel

when they have to eliminate a word, not because it’s harmful or untrue, but because they are following orders? I feel compassion for those who will be required to adhere to this mandate. How much of themselves do they destroy as they comply?