Activism sparks change as corporations and policies shift away from woke culture
January 8, 2025
A cultural shift is underway as major corporations and policies move away from woke initiatives, diversity mandates, and net-zero commitments.
McDonald’s has scrapped its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, JPMorgan and other banks have exited net-zero alliances, and tech platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook are rolling back censorship measures. These developments illustrate how activism can drive change, even against entrenched narratives.
This phenomenon, often called a “cascade,” happens when a prevailing belief collapses under the weight of truth. It’s akin to the story of “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” where one bold truth-teller reveals what others refuse to admit. Figures like Elon Musk, who ended censorship at X, and Facebook, which followed with its own free speech pivot, may be playing that role today.
The unraveling of these policies underscores the power of persistent advocacy. While progress can be slow and met with resistance, speaking the truth consistently lays the groundwork for long-term change. Activism works because, as history shows, even widespread falsehoods can only hold for so long before reality prevails.
The challenge now is to continue advocating for truth amid new battles. But as these shifts demonstrate, persistence pays off, and society eventually recalibrates—even if temporarily—toward sensibility.