#452 — Is Wokeness Finally Dead? | Making Sense with Sam Harris Brief

Key Takeaways

"Wokeness" and DEI remain deeply influential in academia and arts, shaping hiring and curriculum.
Anti-DEI efforts may not fundamentally change ideology, potentially shifting to new euphemisms.
The guest argues the narrative of black men being killed by racist white police at high rates is a statistical myth.
Social media algorithms amplify isolated incidents, fostering distorted perceptions of reality and moral righteousness.
There are noted divergences in perspective among commentators regarding Israel-Palestine and Donald Trump.

Guest John McWhorter states that while the national peak of "wokeness" may have passed, its influence is deeply entrenched in academia and the arts.
This ideology significantly shapes hiring decisions and curriculum development within these institutions.
Its principles are propagated through graduate students who eventually become professors.
McWhorter suggests this ongoing influence may cause unrecoverable damage to these fields.

Anti-DEI measures are unlikely to fundamentally alter underlying ideologies, instead leading to the use of new euphemisms.
An article details a 20-year pattern where white men have been historically filtered out of hiring processes across academia, media, and Hollywood.
John McWhorter critiques a movement in musicology positing that music theory is inherently racist, describing the idea as absurd.
Such ideological claims influence academic and curricular decisions, according to McWhorter.

The guest states that "woke" ideology continues to influence culture, manifesting as punitive actions and resistance to facts.
This impact is observed across various issues, including Hamas, trans rights, and racial disparities.
The host questions what more can be done to combat this pervasive ideology.
The host identifies the common thread as the pursuit of battling power differentials, requiring persistent effort.

John McWhorter recounts writing his book "Woke Racism" from the perspective of a black, middle-aged author.
The book achieved success, selling over 100,000 copies, which McWhorter sees as fulfilling his role in the discourse.
Regarding errors made by the left post-George Floyd's death in 2020, McWhorter argues that the belief black men are routinely killed by white police officers due to racism is a myth.
He states this perception is not supported by statistical data.

The host suggests social media algorithms amplify isolated incidents, creating a distorted perception of reality regarding police violence.
John McWhorter concurs, noting that many on the left vastly overestimate the number of unarmed black men killed by police annually.
Estimates range from 100 to 10,000, significantly exceeding the actual figure of approximately 10-15 per year.
A perceived sense of moral righteousness, especially among educated individuals, contributes to the uncritical acceptance of such narratives.