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A review by birdley
Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America by John McWhorter
2.0
This book is actually a protracted essay that lacks depth or any helpful insights. While it started out with a great deal of promise, it failed to offer much insight into why and how whites have highjacked the Black Lives Matter movement, or why some liberal people have developed a self-righteous attitude when it comes to being thoughtful on the question of racism in America.
As a white, progressively minded, atheistic male, and a fan of Prof. McWhorter's ideas and challenges to the "Liberal" mind, I had greater hopes for this work. I was disappointed with his presentation of an otherwise thoughtful and unique perspective on the issue of race and religion in America. The rehashing of the same three points (which blurred into a single "Liberal Evangelicalism") was off-putting, as was the complete absence of the absurdly (indeed, comical) fundamentalist religious underpinnings of the Conservative political beliefs that have plagued America since 1981. I agree with McWhorter's disdain for the aggressive Liberal self-righteousness that is used to shoot down any open and thoughtful dialogue about the issues of race and racism in our country; however, such a discussion cannot ignore the experience or evidence of the blatantly racist and corrupt beliefs at the heart of the Republican agenda.
Personally, this work rings hollow in light of all the lawsuits and trials against Conservative politicians and ring-wing activists. Again, the professor has a point, but I think the misguided actions of a group of self-righteous, moralistic liberal pricks pales in comparison to the actions of the gun-toting, Captial-attacking, racist conservative idiots who are actively trying to tear this country apart.
Point taken, Prof. McWorther, but very poor timing. Please, Professor, let's be honest with ourselves and focus our criticism on the Republican goons trying to destroy our country.
As a white, progressively minded, atheistic male, and a fan of Prof. McWhorter's ideas and challenges to the "Liberal" mind, I had greater hopes for this work. I was disappointed with his presentation of an otherwise thoughtful and unique perspective on the issue of race and religion in America. The rehashing of the same three points (which blurred into a single "Liberal Evangelicalism") was off-putting, as was the complete absence of the absurdly (indeed, comical) fundamentalist religious underpinnings of the Conservative political beliefs that have plagued America since 1981. I agree with McWhorter's disdain for the aggressive Liberal self-righteousness that is used to shoot down any open and thoughtful dialogue about the issues of race and racism in our country; however, such a discussion cannot ignore the experience or evidence of the blatantly racist and corrupt beliefs at the heart of the Republican agenda.
Personally, this work rings hollow in light of all the lawsuits and trials against Conservative politicians and ring-wing activists. Again, the professor has a point, but I think the misguided actions of a group of self-righteous, moralistic liberal pricks pales in comparison to the actions of the gun-toting, Captial-attacking, racist conservative idiots who are actively trying to tear this country apart.
Point taken, Prof. McWorther, but very poor timing. Please, Professor, let's be honest with ourselves and focus our criticism on the Republican goons trying to destroy our country.