A campaign featuring a Latina intelligence officer sparks criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.
The CIA is facing a wave of criticism following the launch of a diversity-focused social media campaign aimed at attracting new recruits, which has sparked controversy from both the political right and left. The campaign, titled “Humans of CIA,” features a video of a Latina intelligence officer who describes herself as a “cisgender millennial” and openly discusses her experiences with generalized anxiety disorder, intersectionality, and overcoming impostor syndrome.
In the video, the officer states, “I used to struggle with impostor syndrome, but at 36, I refuse to internalize misguided patriarchal ideas of what a woman can or should be.” The campaign, which features her confidently walking through the CIA’s Langley headquarters wearing a T-shirt with a clenched fist motif, was intended to highlight the agency’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. However, it quickly became a target for criticism.
The ad, focusing on “wokeness,” drew ire from both conservative and progressive corners. Critics from the right, including Fox News, decried it as “propagandist garbage” and accused the CIA of caving to liberal pressures. Meanwhile, some on the left argued that the ad focused too much on personal identity and not enough on the agency’s role in controversial international actions.
This campaign comes during a period of increasing scrutiny of US intelligence agencies, which have faced long-standing criticism for their history of covert operations, including coups and other destabilizing actions. Now, with the CIA striving for greater inclusion, it appears to have sparked a debate about the balance between promoting diversity and staying true to its mission.
