Don’t Believe the Hype: Woke Is Real and It’s Dangerous

By J. Peder Zane for RealClearPolitics

He’s woke. She’s woke. So are they, them, ey, ze, and xeir.

Know what I imply?

After all, you do. The dominant flashpoint phrase in at present’s political lexicon – woke is right here, there, in all places. From Whoopi’s lips to your ears. I say it on a regular basis – means an excessive amount of, in line with my spouse – however by no means as soon as has anyone requested: what the heck are you speaking about?

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The phrase is changing into an issue for woke-noscenti as a result of the extra folks know concerning the alphabet soup motion – DEI, CRT, ESG, QIA+, and so forth. – the much less they prefer it. What to do? Deny, deflect, and demonize, after all. Seizing on a conservative author’s halting efforts to define the term throughout an interview, they’re arguing that woke is a made-up, meaningless slur brandished by the best to oppress minorities. Searching for to close down all dialogue of their motion, Touré outlawed it as the new “n-word.”

By no means thoughts that every one language is made up – phrases are simply symbols we create so we will discuss issues and concepts – and that the time period “woke” was coined by African Americans to explain the road-to-Damascus second when the scales fall from one’s eyes and society’s allegedly oppressive buildings change into clear.

Nonetheless, it may appear laborious to exactly outline this hydra-headed beast which seeks to redefine each facet of human relations and understanding, from race, gender, and science, to politics, tradition, household, and id. Its tentacles are so far-reaching that even some writers who’re critical of the movement are throwing up their lexicographic palms.

Truthfully, it’s most likely sufficient to use Justice Potter Stewart’s understanding of pornography: “I shall not at present try additional to outline the varieties of fabric … however I do know it once I see it.”

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The present insistence that woke isn’t even a phrase, nevertheless, gives giving-up-the-game readability. At root, wokism hinges on the ability to command notion and language. That phrase you realize and talk about on a regular basis, it doesn’t exist. Full cease. The consequential coverage debates that eat our consideration – e.g., battles over essential race concept or gender affirming care for youngsters – are mere skirmishes within the far broader effort to manage thought; as soon as that’s completed, something is feasible. Therefore its core demand: are you going to imagine me or your mendacity eyes?

To paraphrase Raymond Carver, what are we speaking about after we discuss woke?

Woke describes the continued cultural revolution which defines actuality by its usefulness in attaining left-wing objectives.

The principle weapon of the woke, who dominate society’s privileged channels of communication – academia, publishing, leisure, and the media – is the article of religion that the majority actuality is socially constructed, a creation of humanity somewhat than nature, to allow these in energy to subjugate “the opposite.” Reality shouldn’t be the purpose of a unending quest to explain what’s, however merely no matter they proclaim it to be. When there isn’t a laborious and quick reality, something is feasible. Information are usually not cussed issues, however malleable constructing blocks which acquire or lose authority primarily based on their usefulness for developing most well-liked narratives.

Thus, the woke incessantly offer versions of events which might be at odds with the recognized file. They told us that the summer time of 2020 riots have been “largely peaceable;” that antifa was solely an thought; that the nation is overrun by white supremacists and Christian nationalists. They insist that girls earn a fraction of the pay males get for performing the identical work; that unarmed blacks are shot by the police at a lot larger charges than different People; that every one disparities between blacks and whites in wealth, health, and education are fully as a result of racism. And so they assert that essential race concept is barely taught in some regulation college courses, that arithmetic is racist and sexist, men can menstruate, local weather change is an existential threat, and Gov. DeSantis desires to forestall academics in Florida from saying the phrase “homosexual.”

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The essential dynamic isn’t just the assertion of fraught claims however the continued development of them after they’ve been debunked. The New York Instances, for instance, didn’t simply declare in its “1619 Mission” that the American Revolution was fought to protect slavery, it pooh-poohed complaints from main historians that this was false.

As TV’s Dr. Home noticed, “everyone lies.” However woke lies have a bigger function past gaining a short lived benefit. They’re a technique geared toward defining actuality. Sure, folks have all the time argued over reality, however historical past reveals that societies ruled by inflexible, facts-be-damned ideology crush freedom, human dignity, and progress as a way to coerce submission.

This soul-crushing dynamic is inevitable as a result of folks aren’t blind – they’ll see they’re being lied to. That is the chief cause why American politics has change into so indignant and divisive. The woke left is making an attempt to impose a false world view. When folks push again, they’re silenced, demonized, and canceled. Dissent shouldn’t be an possibility as a result of your complete woke undertaking is dependent upon acceptance of their worldview.

Woke isn’t only a phrase, it’s a revolution.

Syndicated with permission from RealClearWire.

J. Peder Zane is a RealClearInvestigations editor and columnist. He beforehand labored as a e book assessment editor and e book columnist for the Information & Observer (Raleigh), the place his writing received a number of nationwide honors. Zane has additionally labored on the New York Instances and taught writing at Duke College and Saint Augustine’s College.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content material companions are their very own and don’t essentially replicate the views of The Political Insider.