Woke Culture War, Part 15
In this Woke Culture War segment, WAAY 31 spoke with Morgonn McMichael of Turning Point USA regarding the impact of the Woke Culture War and related actions that we are seeing unfold across federal and state governments.
McMichael voiced strong support for President Donald Trump's efforts to limit funding for diversity training and critical race theory, especially in government institutions and education. The interview focused on the growing influence of "woke ideology" in America and its potential impact on various sectors, including schools and corporate environments.
McMichael praised President Trump’s executive orders that aimed to restrict race-based diversity training in federal agencies, framing it as a necessary step to promote unity rather than division. She argued that such training and critical race theory (CRT) were part of a broader agenda pushing what they consider "leftist indoctrination." In contrast, McMichael emphasized the importance of a merit-based society that prioritizes individual achievement rather than group identity.
President Trump ordered U.S. schools to stop teaching what he views as “critical race theory†and other material dealing with race and sexuality or risk losing their federal money according to the Associated Press.
His order on K-12 schools declares that federal money cannot be used on the “indoctrination†of children, including “radical gender ideology and critical race theory.†It says civil rights laws barring discrimination based on sex and race would be used to enforce the order, calling critical race theory an “inherently racist policy.â€
When asked specifically about "woke ideology" itself, Morgonn McMichael defined it as an overarching left-wing belief system focusing on systemic oppression, identity politics, and social justice activism. She said her concerns are the same as many other conservatives, that this ideology prioritizes race over individual merit, fostering division in society and leading to cancel culture and censorship.
The issue of gender ideology also plays a significant role in the woke culture war. McMichael voiced opposition to the teaching of gender identity and pronouns to young children in schools, advocating for parents to take responsibility for educating their children on such matters. She also believes President Trump’s ban on transgender women competing in women’s sports is a crucial step to protect women's rights.
McMichael said Democrats are pushing a "woke agenda" that undermines American values. She argued that these policies are discriminatory and harmful, citing how she believed such practices oppress white people and conservatives while prioritizing race over qualifications.
As for the concept of systemic racism, McMichael argued that while racism exists, systemic racism in the U.S. is not widespread. She emphasized that America, unlike many other countries, provides opportunities for individuals to succeed regardless of race. She criticized DEI policies for perpetuating racial-based quotas that she sees as regressive and unjust.
As the debate surrounding “wokeness†continues to shape policy discussions, the conversation is likely to remain a central issue in America’s political discourse.
