Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America

In his new book, John McWhorter argues that a neoracism, disguised as antiracism, is hurting Black communities in this country. According to McWhorter, the problem is that a well-meaning but pernicious form of antiracism has become, not a progressive ideology, but a religion.
 
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 fervor 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.
 
McWhorter shares scripts and encouragement with those trying to deprogram friends and family. And he offers a roadmap to justice that actually will help, not hurt, Black America.

Read an interview with Professor McWhorter about Woke Racism.