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lvrdlpzm's review against another edition
Reductive, anecdotal, and dismissive of the real need on anti-racist thoughts, attitudes, and actions needed to heal, and reverse racism, discrimination, and hate in the world.
youngthespian42's review
3.0
This book is one really great essay stretch out into a book. The singular idea that Wokism is so great a comparison that I stuck through. The chapter on how Wokeism is hurting Black America is impactful and the only chapter citing examples with studies on how this new religious hurts minorities.
There are better books on this topic but an ivy league tenured professor and standing up and saying what others cannot is powerful. I believe this is the beginning of a new framing of our modern culture wars not the solution and so I value McWhorter starting the dialogue. Its a breezy read but I think its also skimable.
There are better books on this topic but an ivy league tenured professor and standing up and saying what others cannot is powerful. I believe this is the beginning of a new framing of our modern culture wars not the solution and so I value McWhorter starting the dialogue. Its a breezy read but I think its also skimable.
waynediane's review
4.0
You might say a different take on white fragility. According to McWhorter- whites should not feel guilty or try to correct the problem of systemic racism? Reminds me of the podcast Nice White Parents.
mgouker's review
2.0
I was disappointed. McWhorter is so intelligent, but he sounds out of touch here. At the same time, his arguments are persuasive, because his command of language frankly scintillates. It was a hard read, but I guess my wokeness is beyond this particular inoculation. Maybe after I see more substantial progress I'll feel differently, but what's wrong with working harder for reform after so many have turned a deaf ear? Motives matter.
librarygxrl's review
2.0
DNF at 25%. Has some good ideas but the entire book is framed as a blatant rant. In the audiobook he literally pinches his nostrils to emulate the voices of people who engage with third wave anti-racism. There are better books on race than this
gemurray's review against another edition
I would absolutely not recommend this book, and I’m unsure how it made it onto my reading list. The author uses rhetoric and insults to dismiss what he deems as third wave anti racism, but provides no real evidence to describe how “woke racism” has “betrayed Black America”, as the title suggests. He even states that Black Americans had an easier time rising through socioeconomic ranks than other migrant groups because segregation was outlawed and therefore those racist ideals were no longer a problem for Black people. Quote below:
“Segregation had been outlawed from on high with Black Americans not having had to endure the long, slow, clawing-our-way-into-self-sufficiency, regardless of prevailing attitudes, that other groups had dealt with. In the grand scheme of things, it was a moral advance for the country that a subordinate group did not simply have to make the best of the worst with no questions asked.”
“Segregation had been outlawed from on high with Black Americans not having had to endure the long, slow, clawing-our-way-into-self-sufficiency, regardless of prevailing attitudes, that other groups had dealt with. In the grand scheme of things, it was a moral advance for the country that a subordinate group did not simply have to make the best of the worst with no questions asked.”