Musa al-Gharbi: How Woke Elites Became Out of Touch
Oct 30, 2024
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Musa al-Gharbi, a sociologist at Stony Brook University and author of "We Have Never Been Woke," delves into the disconnect between elite professionals and marginalized communities. He critiques the concept of 'symbolic capitalism,' exploring how privileged advocates, claiming to uplift the underprivileged, often perpetuate their own traditional status. Al-Gharbi also discusses his religious journey and the shifting political dynamics among minority voters, unpacking why some are gravitating toward conservative figures despite traditionally progressive stances.
Musa al-Gharbi argues that 'symbolic capitalists' in academia and journalism are disconnected from the marginalized communities they claim to represent.
The evolution of wokeness reflects a shift from economic-focused activism, like Occupy Wall Street, to identity politics, impacting social movements today.
Recent political realignments show Black and Latino voters increasingly moving towards the Republican Party, challenging traditional Democratic narratives.
Deep dives
Understanding Wokeness
Wokeness is characterized by a complex set of social attitudes and beliefs, as discussed in the book 'We Have Never Been Woke.' The concept does not lend itself to a strict definition, as the author chooses instead to provide a nuanced description of the various modes of thinking associated with it. For instance, trans-inclusive feminism is one of the key components that many people recognize as part of being woke; those who oppose such inclusivity are often labeled as out of touch. This lack of a cohesive definition highlights the contentious nature of political terminology and its evolution over time, demonstrating how terms like 'political correctness' have similarly transformed in meaning and societal perception.
Cultural Contradictions of Elites
The phenomenon of symbolic capitalists, which includes academics and journalists, reveals a disconnection from the marginalized communities they purport to represent. These elites often position themselves as champions of equality and social justice while simultaneously being enmeshed in a system that benefits their own status and livelihood. Throughout history, these professionals have held a narrative of altruism, asserting that their privileged positions ultimately support the common good. However, this self-image clashes with the reality that their elite status relies on the exploitation and labor of lower socioeconomic groups, creating a cultural contradiction at the heart of elite identity.
The Evolution of Movements
Movements such as Occupy Wall Street serve as crucial reference points for the modern 'Great Awokening' and show a shift from class-based activism to identity politics. The initial goals of Occupy, primarily focused on economic inequality, began to intersect with the identity-based activism that followed, leading to a blend of different movements like Black Lives Matter and Me Too. This merge highlights how elite performers in symbolic professions often shift their focus to appeal to broader societal narratives while stifling root economic issues. As these movements evolve, the motivations of symbolic capitalists often overshadow the voices and concerns of the very groups they claim to represent, resulting in a misalignment between elite agendas and grassroots needs.
Impact of Elite Overproduction
The concept of elite overproduction refers to the phenomenon where a society generates more individuals with expectations of elite status than positions available to fulfill those expectations. This oversupply often leads to disillusionment among aspiring elites, prompting them to challenge the existing status quo that they perceive as obstructing their ambitions. Economic downturns can exacerbate these sentiments, as those competing for limited elite positions become increasingly radical in their views. This dynamic creates a fertile ground for awokenings, as these frustrated individuals seek to form coalitions with the broader populace who are also experiencing economic distress.
Diverging Political Affiliations
Recent trends indicate shifting political affiliations among demographic groups, particularly among Black and Hispanic voters moving towards the Republican Party. This realignment challenges the traditional narrative that minority groups remain firmly within the Democratic coalition, revealing discontent with the party's focus on cultural issues over tangible benefits. The evidence shows that as economic conditions improve, so too does the likelihood of individuals reassessing their political commitments based on their lived experiences. This shift underscores the growing divide between elite narratives and the realities faced by the very communities that elites claim to prioritize, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of the electorate's changing values.
Musa al-Gharbi is a sociologist at Stony Brook University and the author of the new book We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite. Al-Gharbi argues that academics, journalists, and other elite professionals that he calls "symbolic capitalists" are disconnected from the marginalized and disadvantaged communities they claim to speak for—and that, by using the rhetoric of class solidarity drawn from the Occupy movement (which pitted the "99 percent versus the 1 percent"), progressive symbolic capitalists actually exploit those communities to maintain a relatively lush lifestyle.
Born and raised in a mixed-race military family in Arizona, al-Gharbi spoke with Reason's Nick Gillespie about wokeness transforming the college experience, his conversion from Catholicism to atheism to Islam, why black and Latino voters appear to be embracing former President Donald Trump in record numbers, and his highly public cancellation in 2014 after he was attacked by Fox News for criticizing U.S. foreign policy.
0:00— Introduction 1:09— New book: We Have Never Been Woke 4:04— Can 'wokeness' be defined? 8:35— The history of 'Great Awokenings' 9:30— Occupy Wall Street was an elite movement 11:02— 'Symbolic Capitalists' pretend not to be elites 15:57— Political splits among 'Symbolic Capitalists' 19:50— The primary function of elite schooling is to grant elite status 23:42— Cultural contradictions of 'symbolic professions' 25:20— Elite overproduction drives status anxiety 27:30— Elite overproduction and popular immiseration equal 'Great Awokening' 31:04— How Occupy Wall Street shifted to identity politics 34:46— Victims like George Floyd only become important to elites after symbolic martyrdom 39:22— Musa al-Gharbi's background 45:00— Being canceled by Fox News 49:00— Engaging with conservatives 53:18— Attending Columbia University 55:11— Working with Heterodox Academy 57:40— The latest 'awokening' is tapering off 1:00:29— Realignments among Black & Latino voters 1:06:42— Better living standards shift politics into 'post-materialist' frames 1:09:08— On not voting in the 2024 elections
