Richard Hanania's "The Origins of Woke"

This book examines the historical process by which distinct Latin American cultures became unified under the 'Hispanic' identity in the U.S. It highlights the roles of activists, bureaucrats, and media in shaping this identity, particularly during the 1970s and '80s. Through archival research and interviews, Mora reveals how this categorization transformed the racial and political landscape of America.

In this book, Richard Hanania presents a theory that the rise of 'woke' views in the US is primarily driven by legal rules and legislation, particularly those related to civil rights and affirmative action, rather than by ideological or cultural shifts. He argues that these laws have forced major institutions, including corporations and educational bodies, to conform to certain standards, leading to the widespread adoption of identity politics. Hanania also provides a roadmap for how these legal and institutional changes could be altered to reduce the influence of identity politics. The book offers a detailed historical and legal analysis of how these changes have shaped American society and culture[1][4][5].