Summary:
February is Black History Month—a time to recognize the stories, struggles, and contributions of Black Americans. But in 2025, the Trump administration used this month not to honor, but to erase.
This episode exposes how military orders, education ultimatums, and federal agency rollbacks strategically aligned to remove Black stories from the shelves, the stage, and the calendar. From pulling books by Maya Angelou and Dr. King from military libraries to canceling Black History Month events and threatening schools with lost funding if they didn’t eliminate DEI, the message was chillingly clear: visibility is now vulnerability.
We explore what was removed, how it was timed, and why that timing matters—not just politically, but emotionally and systemically.
🔍 Topics Covered
U.S. military book removals targeting Black authors and DEI content
Defense Intelligence Agency’s cancellation of Black History Month recognition
Department of Education’s ultimatum to schools and universities
How EO 14151 enforcement escalated in February
The emotional and cultural consequences of erasure during a month of remembrance
🧠 Frameworks Applied
12 Utilities – Loss of Access, Clarity, and Value
PERMAH – Disruption of Meaning, Relationship, and Wellbeing
Admiration Equation – Awe and Gratitude made impossible when role models are removed
Prospect Theory – Why loss of representation during a moment of expected celebration cuts deeper than silence
📚 Citations & Sources
DOE DEI deadline (AP)
📌 Call to Action
Notice which stories are being erased—especially when they were supposed to be elevated.
Share this episode to help others connect the dots between celebration and strategic removal.
Join us next as we explore what happened in March—Women’s History Month—when protections for gender, teachers, and civil rights were next on the chopping block.
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