Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) recently distanced herself from the ideology commonly referred to as ‘wokeness,’ or as she called it, the ‘Woke 1’ era. Her recent comments have sparked discussions as she downplayed her prior strong support for positions many see as part of the far-left cultural movements. Ocasio-Cortez referenced a statement from New York City councilman Chi Ossé, comparing today’s views to those earlier, more radical days.
Critics argue that Ocasio-Cortez’s latest stance appears dismissive. While it’s a positive sign that some progressive figures have moved away from certain controversial ideas, it is important not to take these changes at face value. Some suggest Ocasio-Cortez and others treat the ‘Woke 1’ era as an unavoidable occurrence, seemingly with little personal responsibility or effort to alter its course.
Simply put, this attitude is far too blasé.
In years past, Ocasio-Cortez actively engaged in discussions that aligned with ‘wokeness.’ She criticized people for planting cauliflower instead of yuca in 2019, saying it perpetuated colonization, despite neither being native to New York. In 2022, she defended the use of the term ‘Latinx,’ even as many Latin individuals voiced opposition.
The debate about ‘wokeness’ often centers on definitions. Previously termed ‘political correctness,’ the term initially focused on language and cultural behavior. Over time, ‘woke’ encompassed broader far-left policies, unrelated to speech, such as calls to abolish the police and restructure government entities.
These shifts in cultural and political dynamics resulted in backlash, with some Democratic politicians attributing their hesitancy to address these extremes as a reason for their diminishing influence.
Ultimately, Ocasio-Cortez’s new cautious attitude towards ‘wokeness’ may be seen as a strategic move in current political climates. Whether she and her peers would maintain this stance if cultural trends shifted again remains uncertain.