Heterodox Out Loud

We Have Never Been Woke with Musa al-Gharbi | Ep 22

Oct 8, 2024

Musa al-Gharbi, an assistant professor at Stony Brook University and author of "We Have Never Been Woke," delves into the concept of "symbolic capitalists" and their role in perpetuating social inequalities. He critiques the moral positioning of intellectual elites who advocate for justice while reinforcing systemic problems. The discussion spans the complexities of social capitalism, performative activism, and how societal shifts since 2010 have influenced perceptions of race and inequality, revealing the intricate ties between identity and advocacy.

59:53

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Musa al-Gharbi

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Quick takeaways

Musa al-Gharbi discusses how symbolic capitalists, despite their advocacy, often contribute to existing societal inequalities they seek to challenge.

The podcast highlights the paradoxical support of marginalized voices by symbolic capitalists, who may inadvertently perpetuate systemic injustices.

A shift in political discourse among symbolic capitalists since 2010 reflects a growing concern for social justice, impacting contemporary activism.

Deep dives

The Role of the Messenger

The identity of the messenger significantly influences how messages are received and interpreted. For instance, a non-white author from a hyper-liberal background may present ideas in a way that feels less threatening to audiences compared to a conservative white speaker. This perception allows listeners to engage with the message more openly, fostering dialogue rather than defensiveness. The aim is not to undermine institutions but to encourage a more profound embodiment of shared values.

Intro

2min

Symbolic Capital and Social Inequality

21min

Navigating Social Capitalism and Wokeness

7min

Cultural Shifts in Media and Academia Post-2011

4min

The Great Awokening: A Shift in Social Consciousness

7min

The Paradox of Performative Activism

13min

The Messenger Matters: Exploring Sincerity and Self-Interest in Social Justice

5min

What happens when the guardians of cultural narratives and societal norms become inseparable from the very hierarchies they critique? Today, we explore the concept of "symbolic capitalists" with Musa al-Gharbi, author of We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite and assistant professor at the School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook University.

In this conversation, Musa discusses the role of symbolic capitalists in perpetuating societal inequalities and how their influence extends to academia and media. His latest book, "We Have Never Been Woke," provides a radical yet introspective take on these themes. Drawing from his experiences at elite institutions like Columbia University, he highlights the paradoxes and internal contradictions of symbolic capitalism. Join us as Musa al-Gharbi articulates the complicity of the professional-managerial class in societal injustices and reflects on the role of identity and networks in shaping academic and professional paths.

In This Episode:

Definition and impact of symbolic capitalists
Collaboration between symbolic and traditional capitalists
Moral and ethical implications of symbolic professions
The interplay between academia and elite credentialing
Disparities within symbolic professions
Exploitation of adjunct professors in higher education
Historical context of social justice movements among symbolic capitalists
The symbolic performance of advocacy vs. direct action
Revisiting the relationship between personal success and systemic inequality

About Musa:

Musa al-Gharbi, Ph.D., is the Daniel Bell Research Fellow at Heterodox Academy, and an assistant professor of journalism, communication and sociology at Stony Brook University. Musa is the Author of We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite, published by Princeton University Press. He is a columnist for The Guardian and his writing has also appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and The Atlantic, among other publications. Find Musa on X at @Musa_alGharbi and on Substack. Learn more about Musa at: https://musaalgharbi.com/musa-al-gharbi/biography/

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