Woke Racism by John McWhorter6/23/2023 ![]() ![]() McWhorter takes a rather unconventional approach to anti-racism activism and discourse by treating it as a new religion he refers to as “Woke Racism.” As Vox ’s “A History of Wokeness” documents, the concept of being “woke,” or more accurately “staying woke,” can be traced to the early 20 th century as a constant reminder to African Americans to be aware of the current social and political climate.Īs “stay woke” gave way to “being conscious” or “consciousness-raising” during the 1960s, the metaphor maintained its meaning as a directive that things aren’t always what they seem. McWhorter will surely find a receptive audience as many find the confusing and sometimes contradictory rules for anti-racism (and other issues related to social justice) a dizzying array of dos and don’ts. ![]() People all over the political spectrum have criticized the policing of speech and virtue-signaling. McWhorter is far from alone in his dismay at what seem to be the new rules of the road regarding public discourse. ![]() ![]() * In this relatively slim volume, as the title makes quite clear, McWhorter takes aim at wokeness and its adjacent cancel culture to bemoan what he perceives as social justice activism run amok. As American society remains embroiled in an endless shouting match over cancel culture and canceling cancel culture, Columbia professor of linguistics and American Studies John McWhorter has entered the debate with his latest offering, Woke Racism: How A New Religion Has Betrayed Black America. ![]()
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