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How a new “woke” elite uses the language of social justice to gain more power and status—without helping the marginalized and disadvantaged
Society has never been more egalitarian—in theory. Prejudice is taboo, and diversity is strongly valued. At the same time, social and economic inequality have exploded. In We Have Never Been Woke, Musa al-Gharbi argues that these trends are closely related, each tied to the rise of a new elite—the symbolic capitalists. In education, media, nonprofits, and beyond, members of this elite work primarily with words, ideas, images, and data, and are very likely to identify as allies of antiracist, feminist, LGBTQ, and other progressive causes. Their dominant ideology is “wokeness” and, while their commitment to equality is sincere, they actively benefit from and perpetuate the inequalities they decry. Indeed, their egalitarian credentials help them gain more power and status, often at the expense of the marginalized and disadvantaged.
We Have Never Been Woke details how the language of social justice is increasingly used to justify this elite—and to portray the losers in the knowledge economy as deserving their lot because they think or say the “wrong” things about race, gender, and sexuality. Al-Gharbi’s point is not to accuse symbolic capitalists of hypocrisy or cynicism. Rather, he examines how their genuine beliefs prevent them from recognizing how they contribute to social problems—or how their actions regularly provoke backlash against the social justice causes they champion.
A powerful critique, We Have Never Been Woke reveals that only by challenging this elite’s self-serving narratives can we hope to address social and economic inequality effectively.
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From the Publisher
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<br> Publisher : Princeton University Press (October 8, 2024) <br> Language : English <br> Hardcover : 432 pages <br> ISBN-10 : 0691232601 <br> ISBN-13 : 978-0691232607 <br> Item Weight : 1.65 pounds <br> Dimensions : 6.2 x 1.6 x 9.4 inches <br>
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Customers find the book insightful and thought-provoking. They describe it as an original perspective on culture that is satisfying and persuasive. The book is well-written and accessible, making it a great read.
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Dr. Dietrich Klusmann –
This is a polemic portrait of a stratum of society that emerged in the post-industrial era and for which a catchy term has not yet been found: the New Class, the Knowledge Class, the Creative Class, and here: the Symbolic Capitalists. These are professionals who work with symbols or with knowledge: teachers, journalists, artists, lawyers, consultants, political bureaucrats, scientists. Most of them are not intellectuals but they make use of the material produced by intellectuals.Musa Al-Gharbi is admirably erudite, he writes a vivid readable style, not the jargon one might expect from a sociologist, and he is passionate about the plight of the people he thinks are exploited by the symbolic capitalists in a most hypocritical way. Being an intellectual he nonetheless identifies himself as a “symbolic capitalist” and by alternating this term with the pronoun “we”, the reader is also included.The author identifies four major spikes of concern with social justice, antiracism and feminism: early 1930s, late 1960s, late 1980s, and early 2020s which he calls “the Great Awokenings”.His core argument: Awokenings start with elite overproduction or some other kind of pressure. As a response frustrated symbolic capitalists and elite aspirants seek to indict the system that failed them, and also the elites that have managed to flourish, by attempting to align themselves with the genuinely marginalized and disadvantaged – however in a symbolic way, e.g. “defund the police” serves to express social justice virtue, it does not serve black communities and has consequently been rejected by many leaders of those communities.Symbolic capitalists are pursuing to convince themselves that they are good people by partaking in a social justice discourse. Nevertheless they ensure their wages, job security and working conditions in a cartel-like way, and they create social justIce sinecures for themselves, e.g. administrative positions to curate and manage diversity, sexual conduct etc. which has lead to administrative bloat especially at universities. Meanwhile their life styles depend on the precarious and poorly compensated labor of non-symbolic capitalists, especially those who are immigrants, minorities, or women – even when symbolic capitalists dwell in asymmetric multiculturalism, the tendency of white intellectuals to hold their co-ethnics in contempt while celebrating romanticizing views of minorities. As Musa Al-Gharbi exposes the hypocrisy of this class like a Holden Caulfield on a high level of sociological scholarship he delivers as much of a diatribe as an analysis.Having taken part in the second awokening, the 68ters, and recognizing the continuity with the now ceasing woke-movement, I feel that he has a point. The client group of the, 68ters, the proletariat, was not served better than the clients of the recent awokening and mostly at odds with those who allegedly were fighting for them. There are also diatribes directed to the 68ters, so this is not a new phenomenon, it even reaches further back: Self-hating members of the bourgeoisie abound in the Russian literature of the 19th century. So have mercy with the bourgeoisie (ourselves). What can we do? Perhaps tune down hypocrisy a bit and look at the dark sides of meritocracy. What is completely missing in this treatise, as in most sociological accounts, is a reference to the unequal distribution of ability in a population and a serious discussion of the effect this has when social success is so much dependent on ability.
Robert penney –
Consistently perceptive on the intellectual contortions of the ruling class. Leaves me with healthy questions about what I even mean when I think of myself as left wing. Highly recommended.
Katie Louisiana –
A completely different viewpoint
Fresh insights, a novel and thoughtful perspective on our culture. A truly original thinker. I intend to re-read this carefully to make sure I have correctly understood it. Can’t wait to read the next book from this author.
ali Sowid –
A must read for every HR Department
The author sticks his neck out to say what is important, the truth. He points to the corporatization of caring and how it has been twisted around for profit.His points are a serious concern, but Musa still finds time to make you smirk at the attempt made to pull at the public heart strings.A great read, Musa is able to communicate very heady ideas that anyone can understand and enjoy, even if they disagree with his points.
J. Churchill –
Very insightful
A very interesting take on what is going on in society today. I found it explained much that I find baffling. It’s still baffling but at least I feel like I understand more about what is going on. This book will give you much to ponder.
Mary Watkins –
Take your time with this book; Use it to look in the mirror
I first discovered al-Gharbi’s insights through his article “Resistance as Sacrifice: Towards an Ascetic Antiracism” in Sociological Forum. I am very glad he has furthered elaborated his thought in this important volume. All too often public apologies, land acknowledgments, and social justice discourse stand in for making actual sacrifices in our lives–time and financial resources–that can contribute to racial justice. Al-Gharbi challenges those leaning left to be honest with themselves. How might our everyday ways of living in relationship to others contribute to the misery of people whose welfare we profess to care about? This book is an important corrective if we, as readers, take it to heart.
Three Chord Monte –
How Elitist Struggles Nullify Professed Egalitarian Ideals
We Have Never Been Woke is a provocative title with a hideous jacket design and a fascinating author. The life story of Musa al-Gharbi may prove more compelling to ânormiesâ than this densely informative and even-handed overstatement of the obvious. Check out any number of podcasts featuring al-Gharbi on his book tour. Heâs uniquely positioned to present this accounting of the cause and effect of Americaâs latest Awakening. Unfortunately, Musaâs prescription for change within âSymbolic Capitalistâ circles is ambiguous, other than positively concluding that equality is something we do as thankful, spiritual humans. Worth reading. Especially for this former shoe salesman.
theottersden –
Very Interesting Book
I just finished it. I haven’t written a review on Amazon for quite a while. Although I think some of Al-Gharbi’s points are overstated, there is a saying that a good point can stand to be overstated. This is one of the most interesting and thought-provoking books that I have read in quite some time. As a (progressive) academic, quite a bit of what he said resonated with my observations and personal experiences over the years. His section on land acknowledgments was spot on.Highly recommended.
NY Nerd –
Unlike any other book on “wokeness”
There have been many books on “wokeness” in recent years… this one is not like those. It has a century-long historical arc. It connects changes in social justice activism to the changing social and economic position of the people engaged in said activism — telling, I think, the first really satisfying and persuasive account of the last ten years. It shows that this current period of “Awokening” is not unique. There have been others, dominated by the same elites, oriented towards the same goals. The book offers really biting critiques, but it’s also really charitable towards the people being analyzed. The title makes it seem like a culture war missive. But it’s really a deep dive into inequality today. How does it come about. Who profits from it. How. And so on. Highly recommend. It’s a book by an academic publisher (Princeton), but it’s really well written and accessible.
Honey Deer –
Refreshing take
I adore the cover and how it shows ânever beenâ as if it was a secret concept. I like the size. It feels heavy and important. Perfect for a cozy reading by the candlelight. I haven’t finish it yet but I hope to do soon!