“VICTIMHOOD IS A CHOICE”: HOW VIVEK RAMASWAMY’S RADICAL MESSAGE IS ROCKING OHIO POLITICS AND IGNITING CULTURE WARS.c1
Vivek Ramaswamy, 40, once best known for founding and leading biotech ventures, has emerged as a dominant figure in Ohio’s gubernatorial race. With key endorsements — including backing from former President Donald Trump — and most Republican rivals dropping out, Ramaswamy now appears poised to secure the GOP nomination. Recently, he also announced his pick for lieutenant governor, Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, cementing his leadership ticket with established state political experience.
At the heart of Ramaswamy’s campaign rhetoric is a statement that has become both a rallying cry for supporters and a flashpoint for critics: “victimhood is a choice.” The phrase distills a broader conservative critique of modern identity politics — where group status and perceived injustices increasingly shape political narratives.
Unlike hardship — which Ramaswamy concedes cannot be controlled — victimhood, he argues, represents a mental and cultural posture that individuals choose when they see themselves primarily as sufferers rather than actors. In Ramaswamy’s telling, embracing victimhood limits personal ambition and reinforces dependency, while rejecting it opens the door to self-reliance, resilience, and upward mobility.
This message resonates strongly with voters frustrated by economic stagnation, cultural polarization, and what they perceive as an endless competition for victim status across political and social groups.
Supporters praise Ramaswamy for offering an upbeat, aspirational alternative to politics steeped in blame and grievance. For many voters, particularly in Ohio’s working-class and suburban communities, his call to focus on opportunity rather than oppression reflects a deeply held belief in the American Dream — that individuals can shape their own destinies regardless of background.
Continue reading…
