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Reading Our Times

What is "woke"? In conversation with Susan Neiman

Nov 19, 2024
Susan Neiman, Director of the Einstein Forum and author of "Left Is Not Woke," dives into the complex nature of 'woke.' She explores its evolution from a call for social awareness to a divisive term. Neiman critiques how the movement simplifies identities into mere victimhood, arguing for a broader understanding of justice and solidarity. She also addresses the historical nuances of Enlightenment thought and its impact on modern ideologies, emphasizing the need for genuine connections beyond ideological divides.
38:44

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Quick takeaways

  • The term 'woke' evolved from a call for social justice to a divisive label reflecting fractured movements based on identity politics.
  • The podcast discusses the tension between 'woke' ideology and traditional leftist values, highlighting the need for universal principles of justice.

Deep dives

The Evolution of 'Woke'

'Woke' originally emerged in 1938 when blues singer Lead Belly used it to raise awareness about injustice against the Scottsboro Boys, nine Black teenagers falsely accused of a crime. Its resurgence in 2017 coincided with the political climate fueled by the backlash against President Obama, especially in the context of racism and populist resentment. Initially embraced for its connotations of social consciousness and justice, by 2020, the perception of 'woke' began to sour, associating it more with dogmatism rather than its initial call for awareness. The word, once seen as empowering, shifted to a label that invoked division, signaling a complex transformation within societal movements.

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