By Matt Underwood US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered all State Department employees to return to using Times New Roman font rather than the Biden-Era ‘woke’ and ‘DEIA’ Calibri font. This, apparently, is a real thing, and it’s… well, it’s a lot to take in. It seems the decision to switch back to Times New Roman is a direct consequence of the perceived “wokeness” associated with the previous administration’s preference for Calibri. You know, the font. Apparently, a font can be woke now.
It’s hard to know where to begin unpacking this, but let’s start with the basics. Times New Roman, the font in question, is a classic. It’s been around forever, and you’ve probably seen it on everything from your high school essays to, well, official State Department documents. It’s a serif font, meaning it has little decorative strokes at the end of each letter. Calibri, on the other hand, is a sans-serif font, with a cleaner, more modern look. It’s often praised for its readability, particularly for those with visual impairments. The Biden administration’s choice of Calibri was, in part, a nod to accessibility, and has since been viewed as “woke” by this new administration.
The reaction to this decision has been, as you might imagine, a mixed bag. Some people are baffled, genuinely struggling to understand how a typeface can be considered anything other than a tool for conveying information. The thought of a font being “woke” has become a point of incredulity for many, and is perceived to be a distraction from the real issues. They have expressed bewilderment, wondering what could possibly be “wrong” with a font, or what threat it poses. And they have a valid point. There are, after all, some major global issues right now.
On the other hand, there are those who seem to view this change as a step in the right direction, a return to what they see as a more traditional and professional aesthetic. The fact that Times New Roman is an older font may be seen by some as a symbol of authority, while Calibri might be perceived as a modern, perhaps even “trendy,” choice. It’s hard to fully understand that line of thought, but it seems that there is a faction that agrees with the font change.
The entire situation underscores a fascinating cultural shift, where even seemingly innocuous things like font choices have become politicized. The whole discussion seems more akin to a skit on “The Simpsons” or “Family Guy,” rather than a serious policy decision. In the end, It is hard to see how a change in font will improve anything.
It’s worth noting that some observers have pointed out that the accessibility benefits of Calibri, particularly for those with reading difficulties, are significant. The wider spacing and simpler shapes of the letters can make it easier to distinguish between them, improving readability. This is something that seems to have been overlooked in the midst of the font-based culture war.
In the end, this whole affair is a bizarre illustration of the current political climate. It’s a reminder that in this polarized world, even something as simple as a font can become a battleground. And while it’s tempting to laugh it off as absurd, it’s also a bit unsettling. It highlights how deeply ingrained cultural anxieties have become. It is important to ask the obvious question: What comes next? Are we going to see a ban on certain colors, or maybe a restriction on the use of particular emojis? It’s a genuinely difficult question to answer.