Wokeism's War on Sanity

American Thinker ^ | 6 Oct. 2026 | Renée S. Kohanski

[MtnClimber]

A society that forfeits reality forfeits its future.

DEI and woke masquerade as promoting opportunity for those less advantaged, but the idea is flawed. It begins by sorting people into an artificially constructed class of the oppressed and the enlightened, a hierarchy of “less-thans” and “better-thans.” Once someone assigns a group to “less than,” they have already placed themselves into “better than.” The messaging insists it is about social awareness, but it’s really about superiority. Beneath that posture sits a psychological device that shields adherents from examining their own internal conflicts and dictates exactly what one is permitted and forbidden to think. It is 1984-like thought control.

This premise was challenged in the United States Supreme Court in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. UNC (2023). In June 2023, the Court held that race-conscious admissions practices violate the Equal Protection Clause and Title VI. Harvard and UNC used race in ways that were not measurable, not narrowly tailored, and produced stereotyping rather than individualized assessment. The ruling ostensibly ended affirmative action in college admissions and made clear that institutions cannot use race, DEI rationales, or any race-linked preference as a means of selecting students.

A win, right? Unfortunately, not so much. DEI simply rebranded itself, hiding behind language that is “belonging-focused.” Names such as “Access and Opportunity Programs,” “Fairness and Access,” or “Equal Opportunity Pathways” are cosmetic changes. The reality is that DEI and woke remain active considerations in admissions processes.

This helps no one. In fact, it often has the opposite effect. Black pilots have publicly emphasized that they complete the same rigorous FAA training, testing, and certification as every other aviator. In the current political climate, some have said that the rhetoric surrounding DEI makes them feel

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TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: leftism

[MtnClimber]

Having a lapse of reason is nothing to be proud of.

[Kudsman]

Happy Plus Size Appreciation Day.

[grobdriver]

Black pilots have publicly emphasized that they complete the same rigorous FAA training, testing, and certification as every other aviator

But is that actually so?

Consider the position an FAA examiner is put in when they fly with a black or female pilot. Courageous ones (or just plain honest ones) will fail an applicant regardless of race or sex - but the pressure to pass such an applicant, to overlook a mistake, lest the examiner be accused of "Racists! Misogynist!", must be great, and some will succumb.

I just hope I'm never on a flight captained by such an applicant.

[Cincinnatus.45-70]

Great article. Thanks!

[Bon of Babble]

DEI means that to grant some group special favors is to disfavor and discriminate against another group, usually one with superior skills, experience, grades, test scores and education.

We see this all over the place where Whites and Asians are denied college slots and scholarships they well deserve - or are passed over for jobs, careers and promotions in the name of DEI.

Real people are hurt by these policies