EP. 628: THE CARGO CULT OF WOKENESS ft. CHRISTIAN PARENTI

THIS IS REVOLUTION ＞podcast

Read Christian's work here: https://catalyst-journal.com/2024/06/the-cargo-cult-of-woke

The Cargo Cult of Woke

Introduction:

Eight years ago, the term "woke" was popularized in mainstream culture through Childish Gambino’s hit song, where it signaled an awareness of social injustices, particularly those perpetuated by systemic racism. “Stay woke” meant staying alert to the potential dangers posed by institutional powers. However, in recent years, "woke" has undergone a significant transformation, morphing from a call to consciousness into a shorthand for a new kind of political correctness—one that gives off a radical sheen, but is without true class politics.

In his latest article for *Catalyst Magazine*, "The Cargo Cult of Woke," Christian Parenti examines how this shift in meaning reflects broader cultural and political changes. Parenti argues that what we now call "woke" culture is less about genuine social change and more akin to a "cargo cult"—a symbolic performance of radicalism that ultimately serves to reinforce the status quo rather than challenge it. As Parenti writes, “Woke politics is not the politics of emancipation; it is the politics of submission, disguised as resistance.”

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