Woke culture faces political reassessment in US and Italy

The concept of 'woke' is undergoing political re-evaluation in both the United States and Italy. Originally emerging from the African American community to denote awareness of racial injustice, the term expanded to encompass gender discrimination, LGBTQ+ rights, and economic inequality.

In the United States, elements of the Democratic Party are attempting to decouple historical progressive goals—such as fighting discrimination and defending minorities—from specific linguistic and communicative styles that have faced electoral challenges. This shift aims to reconnect with voters prioritizing material issues like the cost of living, wages, healthcare, and economic security.

In Italy, political leaders are also distancing themselves from the movement. Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Movimento 5 Stelle, expressed skepticism toward 'woke' culture, citing instances where moralistic interpretations of art and language felt excessive. He argued that the political left should focus on combating social inequality rather than adhering to 'woke' ideologies.