Opposition to BLM, CRT, Woke, and DEI appear unrelated. But, upon closer investigation, we can see they were cut from the same racist fabric.
Let's consider the first in recent history. The Black Lives Matter movement put a spotlight on the nation's legacy of racism. It began in 2013 following the acquittal of George Zimmerman. After shooting a 17-year-old Black teenager, Trayvon Martin, he claimed self-defense. When the jury found him "not guilty," their decision sparked national outrage. Black people responded by sharing this story online, some using the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter.
The following year, in 2014, white supremacists released a new slogan, All Lives Matter. Consistent with the theory of covert racism, they avoided explicit racist language. This enabled them to "maintain social distance." In this case, by overlooking racialized police brutality, they uphold the status quo. All while maintaining plausible deniability about racist attitudes. Lecturer Jessica Keiser suggested shifting the question "mid-discussion may constitute epistemic injustice." She used the All Lives Matter response to the Black Lives Matter slogan as an example. This manipulation, they noted, "obscures the intended meaning." And "disincentivizes future utterances of it." Thus, fewer people will use the phrase and repeat it once they've heard it. Or support the efforts of activists and citizens who say Black Lives Matter.
Donald Trump called the “Black Lives Matter” painted on Fifth Avenue in New York “a symbol of hate,” adding to a racially-motivated misinformation campaign.
Next, let's consider the critique of Critical Race Theory. Scholars created the framework during the 1970s and 80s. They asserted that the vast racial disparities in our nation are the byproduct of racism. There are six central tenets. (1) Race is a social construct, and (2) racism has become normalized in American society. Furthermore, the theory suggests that (3) social change results from interest convergence when the needs of minorities align with the dominant group. (4) Differential racialization refers to efforts to "other" racial minorities. This is often done by adopting racial stereotypes. Which, in turn, becomes justification for alienating them and causing harm. Intersectionality considers how (5) multiple social identities impact our lived experiences. The voices of color tenet suggests that (6) group members make the best representatives. This isn't universal, as some work against in-group members. But, this tenet highlights the value of diversity.
Those who oppose critical race theory either take issue with one or more of the tenets or oppose it at face value because of preconceived notions or prejudice. Evidence suggests that a "partisan disinformation" campaign played a role in shaping attitudes toward the theory. Researchers found that the "recoding of CRT" impacted White Americans' perspectives. It has evoked racial resentment. And, in turn, facilitated political backlash. Even the simple act of teaching Black history can land educators in hot water. But, the truth is that teachers have never taught CRT in K-12 settings. Learning the ins and outs of this framework is beyond the scope of their education. The problem is that White conservatives have portrayed anything associated with the theory as harmful. And as a result, they politicized its use. And also the perception of its use.
One study noted Republicans are more opposed to teaching CRT. But, Democrats express a greater level of uncertainty about the topic. And it's in this lack of information that epistemic injustice thrives. Over time, Republicans framed CRT as a broad term. One that envelopes many grievances. And thus, it "shaped a subset of Americans' understandings of and attitudes toward CRT." A study published in the Journal of Social Issues shed light on the cause of resistance. They found that "ignorance of critical race theory predicts White Americans' opposition to it." In short, those who know little about the theory are more likely to oppose it. Rather than consider the tenets of CRT, many are feeding into racist narratives. Evidence suggests their campaign was effective. Between January 2021 til June of that year, states introduced 44 anti-CRT laws. This highlights their political success in attacking this ideology. Donald Trump characterized critical race theory as “psychological abuse” for White students. And in doing so, it fed into the racist attacks against Black scholars.
The anti-woke movement was also driven by racist sentiment. As described before, "woke" refers to awareness of racial injustice. Over time, liberals have broadened the term to refer to any social injustice. And conservatives have responded by turning the word into a slur. So that any idea, attitude, belief, policy, or law that embodies awareness gets snubbed. Professor Nicholas D. C. Allen suggested the misappropriation of "woke" is epistemic injustice as it strips the term's original meaning. And replaces it with a negative connotation. Turning a word that encouraged awareness of injustice into a slur is not by accident. Instead, it reflects a concerted effort to disrupt constructive discourse. Woke, from a conservative perspective, has come to represent everything they dislike. From the presence of racial minorities in films and movies. To the inclusion of black narratives in the curriculum.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Stop Woke Act in 2022. But, a federal judge said parts of the law violated the 1st Amendment to free speech. And stopped the state from enforcing the law. Still, anti-woke efforts continue. Such as the U.S. House passing the End-Woke Higher Education Act in 2024. While it did not become national law, its passage highlights the proposal's popularity among modern-day Republicans. Framing awareness of racism as harmful exposes the racist sentiment behind this resistance. Notice that Black people never passed woke laws. All we ever did was encourage one another to "stay woke." But, the response has been to attack that discourse. In a society where White people are privileged, opposing "woke" isn't neutral. It's an effort to squash any resistance to racism. Trump said the U.S. would “be woke no longer” after re-entering office. This is ironic as it shows how far the term has strayed from its original use. Most Black Americans don’t believe the nation was “woke” under Biden or any previous administration.
Lastly, let's dig into the anti-DEI movement. Many conservatives want to abolish these programs. Since 2022, over thirty bills targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. A Best Colleges article noted, "Nearly half of the states in the U.S. have proposed anti-DEI bills." Disinformation about these policies has contributed to resistance. Such as the myth that they are used to extend opportunities to unqualified racial minorities. In reality, they attempted to remedy the discrimination marginalized groups experience. Research has indicated that advantaged groups' opposition to DEI is rooted in perceived threat. This is also consistent with the covert racism theory. Rather than admit they harbor prejudice, many claim they want to focus on merit. But, overlooking racism is a refusal to acknowledge evidence of racial disparities—a rejection of constructive discourse. The anti-DEI movement is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Just as the fashion industry introduces fresh styles to align with the season and satisfy consumers, marketing racism evolves. This is something that some Americans may not have considered. Yet, it's essential for maintaining a level of awareness. At times, racism is much more subtle, manifesting in opposition to policies, programs, and ideas that promote racial justice. If you confine your understanding of racism to only explicit slurs or hate crimes, you overlook numerous examples of covert racism. And considering its presence in the modern era, you will likely miss the forest for the trees. Racism hasn't gone out of style, but we shouldn't expect it to present itself in the same way. Indeed, as it stands, attacks on BLM, CRT, woke, and DEI are cut from the same racist cloth. Americans expanding their awareness of this is key to challenging prejudice going forward. As sociologist Rodney D. Coates wrote, “at the heart of covert racism one finds a deliberate policy of denial, omission, and obfuscation of black, brown, red, tan, and yellow issues, persons, and groups.”
This post originally appeared on Medium and is edited and republished with author's permission. Read more of Dr. Allison Gaines' work on Medium.