A Reality Check for Anti-Woke Entrepreneurs
Breaking News Alert
In a surprising turn of events, the global community awakens to the disconcerting news of an explosion at the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station situated in the Kherson region. Consequently, an urgent evacuation has been declared in response to this alarming incident. Alexander Prokudin, the leader of the Kherson regional military administration, promptly addressed the public via a concise video statement, confirming the occurrence of the dam explosion at the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station. He further emphasized that the water levels are anticipated to reach a critical threshold within a span of five hours. To ensure the safety of the local populace, the process of evacuating individuals from areas prone to flooding has been initiated under the guidance of the administration. Notably, preceding these distressing developments, the Ukrainian operational command, codenamed “South,” has attributed responsibility for the undermining of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station to Russian military forces.
In a recent evening address, President Zelensky conveyed his acknowledgment of the commendable efforts made by our valiant warriors in the Bakhmut direction. He highlighted the palpable sense of unease emanating from Russia, as they react with increasing agitation to every action we undertake in that region. The resilience and determination displayed by the Ukrainan forces are evidently causing significant consternation among our adversaries.
In response to the sentencing of Vladimir Kara-Murza to 25 years of imprisonment, the Council of the European Union has taken decisive action by imposing sanctions on nine individuals. This move signifies the EU’s firm stance against such actions and its commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law. Bill Browder, upon learning of this development, expressed his satisfaction with the news, recognizing it as a positive step towards justice. Simultaneously, the Russian Ministry of Finance has unveiled its intention to engage in the sale of foreign currency amounting to nearly 75 billion rubles in June. This move is aligned with the ministry’s strategic plan, which anticipates an additional influx of approximately 44 billion rubles in oil and gas revenues for the federal budget during the same month. Notably, the actual income generated in May 2023 fell short of projections by 30.6 billion rubles. Furthermore, commencing from June 7 until July 6, the Bank of Russia, acting on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, will conduct daily foreign currency sales totaling 74.6 billion rubles, amounting to 3.6 billion rubles per day. Market reactions to this announcement have been unexpectedly significant, as analysts had previously speculated on a reduction in sales, and there were even some expectations of potential yuan purchases.
Insights from Yale’s Sonnenfeld and Tian on Funding Difficulties in the Anti-Woke Economy
“Woke” originated from African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) as an adjective describing awareness of racial prejudice and discrimination. Over time, its meaning expanded to include social inequalities like sexism and became associated with identity politics and social justice. The phrase “stay woke” gained prominence during the 2014 Ferguson protests, raising awareness of police shootings against African Americans. While initially used by Black communities and Black Lives Matter activists, the term was adopted by a wider audience, including white individuals, often as a show of support. This adoption has been criticized as cultural appropriation. “Woke” was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2017. Recently, “woke” has been used ironically by individuals on the political center and right-wing to criticize progressive movements they see as overzealous or insincere. This shift in usage has led to negative associations with the term. Additionally, related terms like “woke-washing” and “woke capitalism” have emerged to describe situations where companies signal support for progressive causes without effecting genuine change.In their article “The alt-right economy is failing. Here’s the real performance of anti-woke entrepreneurs,” Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian address the financial challenges faced by individuals and businesses in the anti-woke movement. They highlight the successful defense of values by CEOs like Bob Iger of Disney and John Donahoe of Nike, contrary to claims by anti-woke activists. Sonnenfeld and Tian provide a quantitative analysis that challenges the idea of a separate conservative economy. They mention the American Conservative Values ETF (ACVF), which gained attention for boycotting Target but had minimal impact on the company’s stock. Strive Asset Management, a major player in the anti-woke ETF space led by Vivek Ramaswamy, also faces struggles in attracting investors. Alt-right media platforms like Truth Social and Gab have failed, and alt-right businesses expanding into digital services and physical goods have encountered challenges. Major retailers severed ties with MyPillow, and “The Right Stuff,” an alt-right dating site, faced criticism and funding difficulties.
Sonnenfeld and Tian conclude that many anti-woke activists overlook the necessity of profitability in capitalism. Mainstream businesses continue to thrive despite attacks from the anti-woke movement. The authors argue that the anti-woke economy consists mainly of struggling entrepreneurs and ideological grifters, lacking the substance of a genuine parallel economy.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ‘woke’ mean?
‘Woke’ originated from African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) and initially referred to being alert to racial prejudice and discrimination. It has since expanded to include awareness of social inequalities and has been associated with identity politics and social justice.
How did the phrase ‘stay woke’ gain prominence?
The phrase ‘stay woke’ gained prominence during the 2014 Ferguson protests as a way to raise awareness about police shootings of African Americans.
Who adopted the term ‘woke’?
While initially used primarily in African American communities and by Black Lives Matter activists, the term was adopted by a wider audience, including white individuals, often as a sign of support for BLM.
Why has the adoption of ‘woke’ by non-Black individuals been criticized?
The adoption of ‘woke’ by non-Black individuals has been criticized as cultural appropriation, as they are appropriating a term that originated from AAVE and was closely associated with African American experiences.
How is ‘woke’ used by individuals on the political center and right-wing?
In recent times, ‘woke’ has been used ironically by individuals on the political center and right-wing to criticize progressive or leftist movements and ideologies they perceive as overzealous, performative, or insincere.
What is the article ‘The Failing Alt-Right Economy’ about?
The article discusses the financial difficulties faced by individuals and businesses in the anti-woke movement. It highlights the successes of mainstream businesses and challenges the notion of a separate conservative economy.
Who is Jeffrey Sonnenfeld?
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld is the Lester Crown Professor in the Practice of Management at Yale School of Management, and Senior Associate Dean for Leadership Studies. Sonnenfeld is best known as the founder and CEO of Chief Executive Leadership Institute (CELI), affiliated with Yale University. He has advised thousands of CEOs and multiple U.S. Presidents and nominees from both parties, including Joseph Biden, Donald Trump, and Bill Clinton. Sonnenfeld is involved in convening CEO conferences and high-level discussions among top executives. He is the first academician to have rung the opening bells of both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. He has also been involved in efforts related to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, encouraging multinational businesses to exit Russia through the Yale CELI List of Companies.
Who is Steven Tian?
Steven Tian is the Director of Research at the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute and a former investment analyst at Rockefeller Capital. As a key member of Jeffrey Sonnenfeld’s team, he is known for his exceptional work ethic, often communicating with colleagues and conducting research as early as 4 a.m. in the morning. Steven Tian’s dedication to providing accurate information and his contributions to the research efforts of the institute have been invaluable.
Is it true that Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Steven Tian, and the Yale Research team were named Person of the Year by Rich TVX News?
Yes, this is true. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Steven Tian, and the Yale Research team were named Person of the Year 2022 by Rich TVX News. You can find more information about this recognition on the Rich TVX News website at https://www.richtvx.com/person-of-the-year-2022/.