Kamala Harris' 2017 'Woke' Remarks Spark Controversy

A resurfaced video from 2017 features Vice President Kamala Harris declaring that 'everybody needs to be woke,' a statement that has sparked outrage among right-wing commentators who label her as radical and a 'communist functionary.' In the clip from the Recode Code Conference, Harris emphasizes the importance of wokeness in addressing societal issues, stating, 'We have to stay woke,' and playfully suggesting that it's better to be 'more woke than less woke.' Conservative figures like Gad Saad and James Lindsay have criticized her comments, with Saad questioning her mental capacity and Lindsay denouncing her as a low-level communist. Despite the backlash, some argue that Harris's views on wokeness align with her long-standing political beliefs, particularly her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. The term 'woke,' which originated in African-American Vernacular English, has evolved significantly over the years, often generating heated debate about its meaning and implications. Amidst these discussions, Harris has not engaged with the press since being named the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2024 election, raising concerns among some about her transparency on policy issues.