How the First Amendment is unraveling woke ideology as Amazon, Facebook abandon DEI
January 14, 2025
The shift away from “woke” ideologies is unfolding as Hemingway described bankruptcy: gradually, then suddenly. Just weeks ago, only a few voices—ours among them—were warning of its societal harm and un-American nature. We argued for treating individuals based on their unique skills and aspirations, not as members of groups defined by race, color, or sexuality.
Now, the tide has turned. Amazon and Facebook have abandoned diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and even the New York Times is beginning to question their merits. Facebook has further embraced the cornerstone of American values—free speech. The retreat from woke ideas is happening faster than anyone predicted.
There’s a clear connection here, rooted in the wisdom of the Founding Fathers and their insistence on the First Amendment. Only when everyone is free to express their beliefs, no matter how messy or uncomfortable it may be, can we uncover the truth. This openness ensures that no single group can monopolize information or control the narrative—a power the woke and progressives clearly sought to wield. As free speech reclaims its place, the foundation of woke ideology, including DEI, is crumbling under its own weight.
Well, that and one other thing. We all know that phrase, “Go woke, go broke.” We were told that DEI was different. It really would increase corporate profits. The thing is people tried it and found out that claim is not true. Being un-American does not increase profits. In fact, as BuzzFeed found out, that woke/broke interface is still true.
DEI has failed on two grounds. We shouldn’t do it anyway – we are individuals, not to be defined by our group membership. We must be treated as individuals therefore, that’s the American Way. But there’s also that second ground. DEI doesn’t actually work.
It takes time to point things like this out to people, it’s a slow process getting it out there. But once the change starts to happen, it does so suddenly.