Straight Arrow News contributor Rashad Richey argues DeSantis‘ “anti-woke” campaign lacks substance and won’t actually help anyone.
What is he running for? Well, he said he’s running to stop “wokeism.” What does that mean? What does “woke” mean? You see, there’s no policy agenda in that proclamation. Let me explain to you what “woke” actually means. One definition says it is the quality of being alert and concerned about social injustice and discrimination. Basically, that is correct.
Where did the terminology start? Well, it started in the 1930s with African American movements about transformation, change, better societal construct. This was how “woke” was born. You see, “woke” created some other permeations such as the Civil Rights Movement; individuals who were in the Civil Rights Movement being led by Dr. King, and others, well, they would say to each other, that they were “woke.”
It resurfaced a few years ago, in urban culture again, where you have Erykah Badu and many of the artists who said the same thing: we need to remain “woke.” If you are “woke” that means you are not “sleep.” The opposite of “wokeism” must be “sleepism.” And the only people that want you to not be “woke” are those who would prefer that you are “sleep” — “sleep” to the ideology, “sleep” to the reality of what they’re actually doing and “sleep” to the fact that Ron DeSantis is not offering you a policy agenda.
You see, if he runs against “wokeism,” is that putting more money in your family’s pocket? Does that increase your access to higher education, or affordable education? Does it somehow transform the reality of individuals in this nation who are living paycheck to paycheck, but they work hard? No. Does it give women more equal pay for equal work? No. As a matter of fact, he’s not campaigning on any of these actual policies that help the average American. He‘s simply campaigning against “woke.”
Okay, Governor Ron DeSantis is running for president, the governor of Florida made the announcement not too long ago, I actually predicted months ago that he would absolutely get in this race. In a recent interview, when posed the question, What makes you the guy for the job? De Satan? I mean, DeSantis says, Well, I’m the person who will put a stop to woke ism. That’s what he’s running against. Woke ism. We’ve talked about this before. He’s the guy who created the stop walk app. He’s individual who made protesting, basically a felony in his state. He’s also the governor who successfully eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion programs and mandates all over Florida. What is he running for? Well, he said he’s running to stop woke ism. What does that mean? What does woke me? You see, there’s no policy agenda in that proclamation. Let me explain to you what woke actually means. One definition says it is the quality of being alert and concerned about social injustice and discrimination. Basically, that is correct. Where did the terminology start? Well, it started in the 1930s. With African American movements, about transformation, change, better societal construct. This was how woke was born. You see, woke, created some other permeations such as the Civil Rights Movement, individuals who were in the civil rights movement being led by Dr. King, and others. Well, they would say to each other, that there woke it resurfaced. A few years ago, in urban culture, again, where you have Erykah Badu and many of the artists who said the same thing, we need to remain woke. If you are woke, that means you are not sleep. The opposite of woke ism must be sleep ism. And the only people that want you to not be woke are those who would prefer that you are asleep, sleep to the ideology, sleep to the reality of what they’re actually doing and sleep to the fact that Ron DeSantis is not offering you a policy agenda. You see if he runs against woke ism, is that putting more money in your family’s pocket? Does that increase your access to higher education, or affordable education? Does it somehow transform the reality of individual individuals in this nation? who are living paycheck to paycheck, but they work hard? No. Does it give women more equal pay for equal work? No. As a matter of fact, he’s not campaigning on any of these actual policies that help the average American. He simply campaigning against woke that this again
In addition to the facts, we believe it’s vital to hear perspectives from all sides of the political spectrum. We hope these different voices will help you reach your own conclusions.
The opinions published in this section are solely those of the contributors and do not reflect the views of Straight Arrow News.
Dr. Rashad Richey
Share
. . .
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
More from Dr.
Commentary
Our commentary partners will help you reach your own conclusions on complex topics.
How shifting Russian targets impact global economy
Friday
Peter Zeihan
What explains West African coups? Will France respond?
Thursday
Peter Zeihan
Chinese housing overbuild may erode support for Xi Jinping
Wednesday
Peter Zeihan
Americans debate government shutdowns, spending priorities
Wednesday
Dr. Frank Luntz
DeSantis’ ‘anti-woke’ campaign is missing a policy agenda
Jun 2
Share
. . .
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
By
No matter how you pronounce his name, the Florida governor and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis is on the offensive. He’s visiting Texas next week for fundraising and promises to “counterpunch” against any future Trump attacks. But what does the governor stand for?
Straight Arrow News contributor Rashad Richey argues DeSantis‘ “anti-woke” campaign lacks substance and won’t actually help anyone.
What is he running for? Well, he said he’s running to stop “wokeism.” What does that mean? What does “woke” mean? You see, there’s no policy agenda in that proclamation. Let me explain to you what “woke” actually means. One definition says it is the quality of being alert and concerned about social injustice and discrimination. Basically, that is correct.
Where did the terminology start? Well, it started in the 1930s with African American movements about transformation, change, better societal construct. This was how “woke” was born. You see, “woke” created some other permeations such as the Civil Rights Movement; individuals who were in the Civil Rights Movement being led by Dr. King, and others, well, they would say to each other, that they were “woke.”
It resurfaced a few years ago, in urban culture again, where you have Erykah Badu and many of the artists who said the same thing: we need to remain “woke.” If you are “woke” that means you are not “sleep.” The opposite of “wokeism” must be “sleepism.” And the only people that want you to not be “woke” are those who would prefer that you are “sleep” — “sleep” to the ideology, “sleep” to the reality of what they’re actually doing and “sleep” to the fact that Ron DeSantis is not offering you a policy agenda.
You see, if he runs against “wokeism,” is that putting more money in your family’s pocket? Does that increase your access to higher education, or affordable education? Does it somehow transform the reality of individuals in this nation who are living paycheck to paycheck, but they work hard? No. Does it give women more equal pay for equal work? No. As a matter of fact, he’s not campaigning on any of these actual policies that help the average American. He‘s simply campaigning against “woke.”
Okay, Governor Ron DeSantis is running for president, the governor of Florida made the announcement not too long ago, I actually predicted months ago that he would absolutely get in this race. In a recent interview, when posed the question, What makes you the guy for the job? De Satan? I mean, DeSantis says, Well, I’m the person who will put a stop to woke ism. That’s what he’s running against. Woke ism. We’ve talked about this before. He’s the guy who created the stop walk app. He’s individual who made protesting, basically a felony in his state. He’s also the governor who successfully eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion programs and mandates all over Florida. What is he running for? Well, he said he’s running to stop woke ism. What does that mean? What does woke me? You see, there’s no policy agenda in that proclamation. Let me explain to you what woke actually means. One definition says it is the quality of being alert and concerned about social injustice and discrimination. Basically, that is correct. Where did the terminology start? Well, it started in the 1930s. With African American movements, about transformation, change, better societal construct. This was how woke was born. You see, woke, created some other permeations such as the Civil Rights Movement, individuals who were in the civil rights movement being led by Dr. King, and others. Well, they would say to each other, that there woke it resurfaced. A few years ago, in urban culture, again, where you have Erykah Badu and many of the artists who said the same thing, we need to remain woke. If you are woke, that means you are not sleep. The opposite of woke ism must be sleep ism. And the only people that want you to not be woke are those who would prefer that you are asleep, sleep to the ideology, sleep to the reality of what they’re actually doing and sleep to the fact that Ron DeSantis is not offering you a policy agenda. You see if he runs against woke ism, is that putting more money in your family’s pocket? Does that increase your access to higher education, or affordable education? Does it somehow transform the reality of individual individuals in this nation? who are living paycheck to paycheck, but they work hard? No. Does it give women more equal pay for equal work? No. As a matter of fact, he’s not campaigning on any of these actual policies that help the average American. He simply campaigning against woke that this again
Politics of lesser evils is bad for all Americans
Americans from across the spectrum have criticized the politics of lesser evils, whereby citizens vote more for their least-hated candidate than for their most-loved. Lesser-evil voting sustains a political culture defined by rivalry, fear, and dysfunction. Straight Arrow News contributor Rashad Richey encourages us to move beyond the politics of lesser evils and warns us
Friday
Weak House Speaker McCarthy controlled by far-right colleagues
Congress must agree on a funding plan by Sept. 30 or the nation’s government will shut down. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is responsible for overseeing these discussions, but he is encountering difficulties in managing far-right representatives such as Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO). Straight Arrow News contributor Rashad Richey contends
Sep 22
The far right is controlling McCarthy’s Biden impeachment decision
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced that three committees will open an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Republicans have been investigating Biden since they took control of the House but have not found concrete evidence of misconduct from the president. According to Straight Arrow News contributor Dr. Rashad Richey, McCarthy is facing
Sep 15
Sen. McConnell’s poor health is a serious concern
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has recently experienced several troubling episodes in which he appeared to “freeze” while speaking in public. Additionally, he suffered a bad fall earlier this year, resulting in a concussion diagnosis. These incidents have raised widespread concerns about Sen. McConnell’s health. Straight Arrow News contributor Rashad Richey sees a major
Sep 8
Why Gov. DeSantis was booed at Jacksonville prayer vigil
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) faced boos during his attendance at a prayer vigil in Jacksonville following a racist attack that left three African Americans dead. During the event, an individual shouted, “You’re not welcome here,” seemingly alluding to DeSantis’s recent efforts to relax state gun laws and revise the way Black history is taught
Sep 1
Media Miss
Stories each side is underreporting
Suicide bomber detonates a device in the Turkish capital. A second assailant is killed in a shootout
12 sources | 17% from the left
Suicide bomber detonates device in Turkish capital hours before president’s speech to lawmakers
17 sources | 0% from the right
Latest Stories
Getty Images
Biden proposes limited offshore oil and gas leases to support wind energy
Watch 2:20
Yesterday
The Elephant Sanctuary
California city first in nation to recognize legal rights of elephants
Watch 2:15
Yesterday
Getty Images
Sen. Feinstein’s death leaves Senate vacancy Gov. Newsom needs to fill
Watch 2:54
Yesterday
Premier of Ontario
Climate advocates, indigenous tribes protest efforts to mine $67B of minerals in Canada
Watch 2:50
Yesterday
Getty Images
Retailers report record $112B in lost inventory amid theft, violence
Watch 2:22
Friday
Popular Opinions
In addition to the facts, we believe it’s vital to hear perspectives from all sides of the political spectrum.
Politics of lesser evils is bad for all Americans
Friday
Dr. Rashad Richey
How a No Labels candidate might affect outcome of 2024 election
Thursday
John Fortier
Why is accused sexual predator Russell Brand getting right-wing support?
Thursday
Jordan Reid
High housing mortgage costs are a risk to whole economy
Wednesday
Newt Gingrich
Latest Opinions
In addition to the facts, we believe it’s vital to hear perspectives from all sides of the political spectrum. We hope these different voices will help you reach your own conclusions.
The opinions published in this section are solely those of the contributors and do not reflect the views of Straight Arrow News.
Dr. Rashad Richey
National TV Political Analyst, Talk Radio Host, Univ. Prof.John Fortier
Senior Fellow, American Enterprise InstituteWeekly Voices
Monday
David Pakman
Host of The David Pakman ShowLarry Lindsey
President & CEO, The Lindsey GroupTuesday
Ruben Navarrette
Columnist, host & authorBen Weingarten
Federalist Senior Contributor; Claremont Institute FellowWednesday
Adrienne Lawrence
Legal commentatorNewt Gingrich
Former House Speaker; Chairman of Gingrich 360Thursday
Jordan Reid
Author; Founding Editor, Ramshackle GlamJohn Fortier
Senior Fellow, American Enterprise InstituteOther AEI Contributors
Katherine Zimmerman
Timothy Carney
Matthew Continetti
Robert Doar
Friday
Dr. Rashad Richey
National TV Political Analyst, Talk Radio Host, Univ. Prof.Star Parker
Founder & President, Center for Urban Renewal and EducationPolitics
Sen. Feinstein’s death leaves Senate vacancy Gov. Newsom needs to fill
Yesterday
Members of Congress still get paid during government shutdown
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, longest serving woman senator, dies at 90
Getty Images
U.S.
California city first in nation to recognize legal rights of elephants
Yesterday
Elon Musk weighs in on immigration policy in visit to US-Mexico border
DHS collects migrants’ DNA for growing database, raising privacy concerns
The Elephant Sanctuary
International
Cuban officials call Molotov cocktail attack on its US embassy terrorism
Tuesday
Canadian lawmakers apologize after celebrating Ukrainian Nazi fighter
Nicaragua’s Catholic president is persecuting members of his own religion
Reuters
Tech
TikTok workers: China may have more control over user data than we think
Thursday
Musk makes cuts to X election integrity team
Ford pauses construction on $3.5 billion EV battery plant
Getty Images