The “woke mind virus” isn’t just a trend; it’s a seismic shift in our culture. What began as a noble call for justice has evolved into something more insidious, and it’s hard not to feel a deep, gnawing sadness watching the values that once made us strong slowly unravel. This isn’t just a cultural phenomenon—it’s a dismantling of what made America a beacon of resilience, courage, and unity.
A Virus with Deep Roots
Once upon a time, being “woke” meant being alert to the injustices that so many, for too long, turned a blind eye to. It meant standing up for fairness, equality, and the right to be heard. But now, it’s as if that noble pursuit has been hijacked. The message that once called for awareness of racism and inequality has been twisted, spreading like a virus—indiscriminately and often destructively.
Imagine a wildfire sparked by a small, righteous flame. But as that flame spreads, it becomes uncontrollable, consuming not only the dry, decaying brush but also the healthy trees that stand tall, their roots deep in the soil of free thought and open dialogue. The woke mind virus spreads similarly—through the wildfire of social media, where complex issues are reduced to a meme, a hashtag, or a viral tweet, without space for true understanding. It ignites emotions but often leaves little room for thoughtful debate.
Infection in Our Institutions
Our schools and universities, once hallowed halls of rigorous thought and intellectual challenge, now feel like breeding grounds for this ideological wildfire. The very places meant to foster debate and encourage critical thinking seem to be pushing aside those values, instead prioritizing subjective feelings over objective analysis. When we no longer challenge ideas or ask tough questions because we’re afraid of offending, what happens to the pursuit of truth?
It’s like building a house on sand—once the foundation of intellectual rigor is eroded, the structure is at risk of collapsing. And yet the biggest tragedy is that the very young minds who enter these institutions seeking enlightenment and knowledge are instead swept up in a wave of conformity, where thinking differently, questioning the status quo, or, heaven forbid, seeking nuance can leave them ostracized or silenced.
A Culture Crumbling
Beyond academia, the media and entertainment industries—once the playgrounds of creativity, innovation, and bold expression—now tiptoe through minefields of political correctness. Imagine a painter whose canvas is constantly shrunk, or a comedian whose punchlines must pass through countless filters. The result is not art but something sterile, lacking the richness that comes from daring to push boundaries, from laughing at ourselves, from seeing the world in all its messy, contradictory beauty.
It’s like watching a symphony slowly fade into a dull, monotonous hum—where the instruments once played in harmony, they now sound off-key, restrained, and afraid of standing out. The “woke mind virus” doesn’t just suppress; it diminishes the vibrancy of our culture, the color of our conversations, the depth of our debates.
The Fracturing of Unity
Perhaps the greatest sadness comes from seeing the deep divisions this virus creates. America, a country once celebrated for its melting pot of ideas, cultures, and identities, now feels like it’s fracturing along the very lines that once made it strong. Instead of finding unity in our differences, we seem to be magnifying them, creating a landscape where everyone is a victim, and nobody can find common ground.
It’s as though we’ve forgotten what it means to strive together, to recognize that while our differences make us unique, it is our shared values—freedom, merit, and open dialogue—that have always held us together. When those are sacrificed at the altar of division and identity politics, the very fabric of society begins to tear.
The Tragedy of Lost Potential
In this tragic tale, it is the loss of merit, the erosion of free speech, and the shrinking of intellectual bravery that hurts the most. We once thrived on the idea that anyone, through hard work, determination, and talent, could succeed. But now, the emphasis has shifted from opportunity to outcome, from earning success to demanding it. The risk is not just a society that’s less innovative or efficient, but one that loses the very essence of what made it great—its boundless potential.
Picture a field of untapped resources, rich with potential, but fenced off, restricted, and left to wither. This is what we risk becoming—an untapped nation, where the brilliance of individuals is stifled by conformity, and where the promise of unity through shared values is overshadowed by the constant clamor of division.
In Closing
This isn’t about vilifying those who seek justice or those who want a more equitable world. It’s about realizing that when we allow a singular narrative to dominate, when we silence dissent and prioritize feelings over facts, we all lose. We lose the diversity of thought, the richness of culture, and the promise of a better future built on the principles of freedom and merit.
The tragedy isn’t just that this virus has spread—it’s that in its wake, we’re losing what made us strong. And unless we find a way to bring back true dialogue, to challenge each other with respect and courage, we risk becoming a nation not of innovators and thinkers, but of shadows—afraid to speak, afraid to stand out, afraid to be free.
Regards,
Brian Frye
Farmer & Concerned Iowan
Dows, Iowa
Well stated Brian Frye! These are disturbing trends indeed. I (and others) have recently discovered “research” conducted by ISU education professors in area high schools that was nothing short of full bore indoctrination thinly disguised as research. The same professor has authored books on how to “subvert” the education system with the same indoctrination she imposes on the high school students.
She is also on Iowa Public TV’s educational video series string that the reason black males are disciplined at a higher rate than whites in our schools is because the white, female teachers are fundamentally racist.
Sadly, this professor (Dr Jeanne Dyches) – and a former professor – Dr Katy Swalwell – have been very influential in creating an education program that is consumed by these shallow minded, anti-intellectual notions of race and social justice.
As you say, they use their influence to impose a belief system on naive young students who then go forth and spread their nonsense to students across our state and elsewhere. This is socially and academically destructive stuff. The fact that it’s all being paid for by you and me is simply not OK.
Thank you for taking the time to speak up!