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  • Woke Racism

  • How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America
  • By: John McWhorter
  • Narrated by: John McWhorter
  • Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (307 ratings)

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Woke Racism cover art

Woke Racism

By: John McWhorter
Narrated by: John McWhorter
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Summary

People of good will on both the left and the right are secretly asking themselves the same question: how has the conversation on race gone so crazy?

Bestselling author and acclaimed linguist John McWhorter argues that an illiberal neoracism, disguised as antiracism, is hurting black communities and weakening the social fabric.

We're told to read books and listen to music by people of colour but that wearing certain clothes is 'appropriation.' We hear that being white automatically gives you privilege and that being black makes you a victim. We want to speak up but fear we'll be seen as unwoke, or worse, labelled a racist. According to John McWhorter, the problem is that a well-meaning but pernicious form of antiracism has become, not a progressive ideology, but a religion - and one that's illogical, unreachable, and unintentionally neoracist.

In Woke Racism, McWhorter reveals the workings of this new religion, from the original sin of 'white privilege' and the weaponization of cancel culture to ban heretics, to the evangelical fervour of the 'woke mob.' He shows how this religion that claims to 'dismantle racist structures' is actually harming his fellow black Americans by infantilizing black people, setting black students up for failure, and passing policies that disproportionately damage black communities. The new religion might be called 'antiracism,' but it features a racial essentialism that's barely distinguishable from racist arguments of the past.

Fortunately, for all of us, it's not too late to push back against woke racism. McWhorter shares scripts and encouragement with those trying to deprogramme friends and family. And most importantly, he offers a roadmap to justice that actually will help, not hurt, black people.

A New York Times Bestseller

©2022 John McWhorter (P)2022 Faber & Faber
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about Woke Racism

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Reason must reign

McWhoter is forthright & polite in rejecting the shaming, ineffective woke elect ideology & positing a simpler common humanity approach that prioritises practical work. Stand Up.

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A compelling listen

Refreshing to hear the perspective of someone I would consider in the sensible left. Great to hear so many shoutouts to contemporaries who have clearly influenced his thinking. The characterisation of electism as a new religion is very thought provoking.

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John is a class act!

John delivers an enjoyable exploration of an otherwise difficult subject. I'll be relistening to this and I'll be exploring his other books.

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Thought provoking and powerful read

Support social progress (real kind), love and respect people of all cultures and races? then you will love this book and the passionate, articulate arguments against dogma and twitter madness of today

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Great alternative view

Excellent way of looking into this difficult subject.
Really enjoyed his perspectiveWell worth a read

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Insightful and Informative

insightful and Informative research on a prevalent issue, through the eyes of an African American

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A fine piece of rationalism

John McWhorter has taken up his powerful pen against the religious zealotry that often characterises anti racism. It has fundamental texts. It permits no questioning. It feverishly punishes unbelievers. Not only does he expose its irrational, belief based tenets as false, he contests that it is badly failing the very people it is supposed to help, by condemning them to perpetual victim status. He cites many examples to support his case. He also proposes specific solutions to the issue of academic and economic underachievement, based on achieving a high level of reading ability using phonics based teaching and valuing and investing in vocational training. He is a pleasure to listen to, always appealing to reason and better nature.

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Makes me feel sane

I love to listen to John talk about talking.
Always educational, always funny.
Excellent points, expertly argued.

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Common sense eloquently argued

Excellent book. Clearly sheds light on the hypocrisy of the racist woke, whilst highlighting the importance of addressing genuine issues that affect people in contemporary America.

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How to handle the worst that so called Anti Racists can throw at liberal minded people today

This book is a masterclass in teaching a response to the worst excesses of the woke and radically minded so-called anti-racists that are increasingly dominating social spaces today. Whilst Douglas Murray expands the challenges facing the west and European culture and civilisation the author in this case teachers how critical race theory and anti-racism has become a religion and a stick to attempt to beat us with. And with this book we know how to fight back.

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