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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 (303 ratings)
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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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WoW

So glad I bought this book. So refreshing to hear the narratives being challenged. Scary what's going on and I genuinely fear where this will all end if this nonsense continues. Brilliantly read by the author.

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10 people found this helpful

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WOW! What an incredibly

A courageous and interesting commentary! What drives cancel culture? And is it really serving the transformation project? The author shares some incredibly insightful and well motivated arguments. Very rewarding read!

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9 people found this helpful

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About time!

As usual John M speaks clearly and thoughtfully. I am a fan mainly through his books on linguistics through which I came across this book. He speaks truth to bullies with humour and sense. I like many 'white' folk (actually I am pinkish with purple knees!) try to do good by all and - as MLK hoped - look towards a colourblind future. People's biases are there and I believe need further work - as JM stated - but will fade as all get more equal opportunities to succeed; not by punishing 'oppressors' and by doing so, becoming the new tyranny...thought police for the third-wave, anti-racist 'Elect' religion.

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6 people found this helpful

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A necessary book on the woke-ism

McWhorter is leading the way to combat the nonsensical and destructive woke culture in the US.

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6 people found this helpful

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Interesting but incomplete

I think the points raised in the book were great, with examples and facts to support them. I finish the book still feeling like the link to religion is not as established as I would like. Either way it is worth a listen and addresses people who would even scoff at being recommended this book

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Engaging, refreshingly honest and to the point.

A well argued and common sense pushback to the new religion of woke racism. A very necessary book for our times.

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4 people found this helpful

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A book everybody should read

Never has a book so encapsulated how I feel about an issue. I have been stunned how many otherwise bright and articulate people have capitulated to the feeble warbling of what amounts to a religion. John Mcworter deserves every plaudit that comes his way. Wokeism is a turgid ejaculation of poorly reasoned ideas enshrouded under the umbrella term social justice. It needs to be outed, challenged, and cast into the dustbin of bad ideas. I'm going to be playing my part.

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The great McWhorter missed the point

I loved his other books. I agree that the woke movement is toxic and intolerant. But I don´t think the comparison with religion is fair. McWhorter does not know the catholic creed very well, I presume, and he uses preconceptions and clichés. I´m deeply disappointed.

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2 people found this helpful

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Cogent, thoughtful and provocative

A beautifully written and powerful call for a more rational and dignified conversation on race.

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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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