Defense Secretary Hegseth Overhauls Military's 'Woke' Culture Approach
President Trump and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have recently criticized 'woke' culture in their political stances, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis even signing the 'Stop W.O.K.E. Act' into law. Meanwhile, some progressives like Jane Fonda and Seena Hodges are trying to reclaim the term, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a major shift in the U.S. military's approach to 'woke' culture.
The term 'woke' originated in Black culture as a call to awareness about racism and injustice, with roots traced back to Marcus Garvey in 1923. Artists like Erykah Badu revived the term in the 2000s, and it became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement. However, in recent years, conservative politicians have started using 'woke' as a criticism of progressive policies, leading to a backlash against the term.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has now announced a major shift in the U.S. military's approach to 'woke' culture. He plans to roll back all equality and anti-discrimination programs, focusing instead on military preparedness for war. This includes canceling promotions based on race or gender and accepting that some combat roles may be closed to women. Hegseth believes this will help revive the 'warrior ethos' and reverse decades of perceived decline in the military's readiness for war.
The debate surrounding 'woke' culture continues to divide Americans, with some advocating for its original meaning of racial and social awareness, while others criticize it as excessive political correctness. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent announcement signals a significant shift in the U.S. military's approach to this divisive issue, prioritizing military readiness over ideological considerations.
