Vivek Ramaswamy likens 'wokeness' to quasi-religion in US

Vivek Ramaswamy likens ‘wokeness’ to quasi-religion in US

Indian-American entrepreneur and Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has emphasized his commitment to enforcing civil rights laws in the United States during an address at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition Town Hall.

Ramaswamy said that as President, one of his key responsibilities would be to ensure that civil rights laws, as they exist on the books, are enforced without bias. He highlighted the issue of “wokeness” in the country, describing it as a quasi-religion that limits freedom of expression.

“I wrote a book about this I think that modern wokeness reflects a sort of religion in this country, actually certain words you can’t say clothes you can’t wear, apologies you must recite, excommunication procedures that must be initiated. Well one of the things is the Supreme Court’s been clear that even secular humanism meets the test for what counts as a religion, if that does woekism does too turns out to be a religion … you can’t force an employee to bow down to your religion,” he said.

Ramaswamy pledged to instruct the US Department of Justice to enforce civil rights laws even-handedly.

He also stressed that the role of the US President goes beyond policy-making and should set an example for the nation. Ramaswamy shared his personal journey, emphasizing that he arrived in the country with no money, and his parents’ hard work allowed him to become the founder of multi-billion dollar companies. He expressed his desire to serve as an example of what is possible in America for all children, regardless of their background.

Ramaswamy criticized the left for focusing on issues such as race, gender, sexuality, and climate, which he referred to as “wokeness.” He called for a return to values centered around faith, patriotism, hard work, family, and the nation.

Ramaswamy addressed the criticism surrounding his candidacy, acknowledging that many people are skeptical about a 38-year-old running for the position of US President. “The reality is many people are annoyed by my rise and believe that a 38-year-old is too young to be US President. The fact of the matter is Thomas Jefferson was 33 years old when he wrote the US Declaration of Independence. He also invented the swivel chair while he was at it, by the way,” he asserted.

In an interview with Fox News, he emphasized his willingness to engage in open debate and pointed out the historical precedent of young leaders making significant contributions to the country.

He cited Thomas Jefferson, who was only 33 years old when he authored the US Declaration of Independence and even invented the swivel chair during the same period. Ramaswamy argued that it’s essential to revive that spirit of youthful innovation and vision. He expressed his belief that the United States can achieve its best days by embracing the potential of its future, rather than simply reacting to current challenges. Ramaswamy emphasized the importance of looking forward and not merely running from existing problems.

In recent polls, Vivek Ramaswamy has gained significant support in the GOP primary, although he still trails former President Donald Trump and Florida governor Ron DeSantis. The next US presidential election is scheduled for November 5, 2024.

(With inputs from agencies)

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