In announcing last week his plans to chase a Texas congressional seat, Offer Vince Shlomi — known as the “ShamWow guy” for his products and commercials — said his political mission is to destroy “wokeism.”
Saying he was spurred by the September assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Shlomi, a Republican, said he would be a “woke buster” — as he notified his party that he was entering a crowded field of 2026 primary candidates in his state’s 31st Congressional District, located near Austin.
There are many reasons you might consider supporting conservative candidates in races at all levels. This isn’t one of them.
The anti-woke political strategy — divisive and dangerous — is not limited to national races or faraway places, but it seems to be building.
And the echoes of “destroy woke” sentiments can be heard in Washington, D.C., and across the nation — more than a whisper, Shlomi is betting.
The concept of “woke” has been around for at least a century — since the early days of the civil rights movement — representing awareness of the realities and horrors of racism and other forms of prejudice.
Call it being conscious with a conscience.
Wokeism isn’t about pushing a certain ideology or agenda. Being “woke” means being honest with ourselves about our history and the hatred that separated us, and in many ways continues to do so.
The Oxford English Dictionary added “woke” in 2017, and defined the notion as fundamentally meaning “well-informed, up-to-date”; and specifically as “alert to racial or social discrimination and injustice.”
Seems like an idea we should all get behind, right?
Well, no. Not when political hay can be harvested — nationally and even locally.
Do Shlomi and other “woke busters” fear the positive energy of unity and equality?
Do they believe denying history removes responsibility to be better?
Are they terrified of fairness in the workplace, or perhaps the possibility of financial reparations.
Or just the shadow of prejudice in their own hearts?
Doesn’t matter. We must push back against hate and fear, and the denial of the truth — and against those who would manipulate others and capitalize on those emotions — including at the ballot box.
As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary — the “semiquincentennial” — we should all celebrate everything that means, including 250 years of fighting to move away from damaging and dehumanizing behaviors and attitudes that were once commonplace.
Celebrating and uplifting the rights of women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community — and reaching out to those in the grip of poverty, addiction or physical and emotional struggles — that is how to make America great.
Our eyes and minds should see clearly the road we’ve traveled — learning from our mistakes — with recognition and understanding of what lies ahead.
As Americans, we should embrace the notion of being “woke” — if that means we oppose racism in all its forms, we abhor the practice of oppression here and anywhere, that we welcome unity and oppose division, that we respect and will fight for the rights of all.
This is not an abstract mission. We will all face moments of truth.
As I prepared to enter my assigned polling place last month on Election Day, I was greeted in front of the building by a sign that screamed:
“STOP the WOKE AGENDA!”
The sign told those who were entering the polling place whom they should vote against — or “FIRE” — in races for seats on various state and local courts.
The fear-stoking was fully inflamed — right outside the voting booth. And it ticked me off.
I snapped a photo of the sign with my phone, then promptly walked inside and voted for every name on the list — the “WOKE AGENDA” candidates — whether I had planned to do so or not.
I’ll do the same in 2026, choosing honesty over scare tactics and division.
And again in 2027.
And definitely in 2028 …