“Anti-Woke” - the New Code for Anti-Blackness

Whenever I read the article of a so-called “anti-woke” person, I pick up on the overwhelmingly negative, mean-spirited, and yes, anti-Black energy coming from the writer. This is not surprising, given that the term “anti-woke” – for the most part – is simply a cover for anti-Blackness. Those who describe themselves as “anti-woke” tend to couch their distaste for “wokeness” in terms of a general dislike of left-wing causes; but make no mistake, the anti-woke brigade’s primary obsession is an aversion to racial justice.

Indeed, the word “woke” originates in Black America; it has and continues to be used to express the idea of staying aware of anti-Black oppression in society. It therefore follows that anti-wokeism evolved as a backlash against Black-led antiracism efforts.

The Need for Code Words

Fortunately, at this time, society considers that racial discrimination is a bad thing and that (overtly) prejudiced individuals are “bad people.” Therefore, it is difficult for such individuals to openly say, “I’m against antiracism,” because it will (correctly) be assumed that he or she supports racial oppression.

It is much easier for the closet bigot to use code words and declare, “I’m anti-woke.” This is because (at this time) mainstream society doesn’t equate being anti-woke with being racially prejudiced. Indeed “anti-woke” is such a good cover for bigots, that there are now an increasing number of anti-Black liberals who are starting to make it known that they too are “anti-woke.”

Trashing Antiracism

The ultimate aim of the anti-woke crowd is to taint and obfuscate the very concept of antiracism, and accordingly make racial oppression acceptable once again — as it was in the “good old days.” For example, one of their goals is to convince everyone that prejudice is largely a thing of the past; that any discrimination that still exists is negligible, and not worth addressing; and that antiracist efforts will result in non-Black people being disadvantaged.

Furthermore, anti-woke individuals put a significant effort into denigrating and trivializing the antiracist movement. For example, in the case of the word “woke,” they have maliciously co-opted a positive Black American word, with the aim of making it into something ugly. Additionally, they have concocted ridiculous buzzwords such as “social justice warrior” (“SJW”) and “snowflake” to mock antiracism activists. Similarly, they have adopted code words such as “identity politics” and “cancel culture” in an attempt to misrepresent racial equity goals. Ironically, these anti-wokesters are the biggest proponents of “cancellation” when it comes to antiracist efforts — whether it’s diversity in movies; inclusion in the workplace; or a racial equity-oriented curriculum.

Injustice is their Lifeblood

The bottom line is that these individuals have no sense of fair play; they hate equality and justice. Indeed, the idea of racial justice and racial equity distresses the anti-woke individual because he/she doesn’t want to lose the in-built privileges in the current system (e.g. access to better employment, superior education, healthier neighborhoods). Moreover, anti-woke individuals are desperate to keep a racial hierarchy in place; racial injustice is their lifeblood since it enables these inadequate people to feel superior to those they are denigrating. In the words of Toni Morrison:

“There is something distorted about the psyche… If you can only be tall because somebody is on their knees, then you have a serious problem…”

But rather than working on developing healthier thoughts, attitudes and behaviors, anti-wokesters look for ways to legitimize their toxicity.

Ultimately, describing oneself as anti-woke is a new front for anti-Blackness. Anti-woke individuals won’t say what they really mean — because what they really mean is vile. For those who sincerely support racial justice, it’s increasingly important to “stay woke” to the strategies of the anti-woke movement.

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