Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America
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- Author：John McWhorter
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Summary
People of good will on both the left and the right are secretly asking themselves the same question: how has the conversation on race gone so crazy？
Bestselling author and acclaimed linguist John McWhorter argues that an illiberal neoracism， disguised as antiracism， is hurting black communities and weakening the social fabric。
We're told to read books and listen to music by people of colour but that wearing certain clothes is 'appropriation。' We hear that being white automatically gives you privilege and that being black makes you a victim。 We want to speak up but fear we'll be seen as unwoke， or worse， labelled a racist。 According to John McWhorter， the problem is that a well-meaning but pernicious form of antiracism has become， not a progressive ideology， but a religion - and one that's illogical， unreachable， and unintentionally neoracist。
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 fervour 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。
Fortunately， for all of us， it's not too late to push back against woke racism。 McWhorter shares scripts and encouragement with those trying to deprogramme friends and family。 And most importantly， he offers a roadmap to justice that actually will help， not hurt， black people。
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Bestselling author and acclaimed linguist John McWhorter argues that an illiberal neoracism， disguised as antiracism， is hurting black communities and weakening the social fabric。
We're told to read books and listen to music by people of colour but that wearing certain clothes is 'appropriation。' We hear that being white automatically gives you privilege and that being black makes you a victim。 We want to speak up but fear we'll be seen as unwoke， or worse， labelled a racist。 According to John McWhorter， the problem is that a well-meaning but pernicious form of antiracism has become， not a progressive ideology， but a religion - and one that's illogical， unreachable， and unintentionally neoracist。
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 fervour 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。
Fortunately， for all of us， it's not too late to push back against woke racism。 McWhorter shares scripts and encouragement with those trying to deprogramme friends and family。 And most importantly， he offers a roadmap to justice that actually will help， not hurt， black people。
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Reviews
J。A。 Ironside
，
A slim volume but McWhorter's arguments are logical， well supported by evidence （which anyone can find with a modicum of Google-fu） and well reasoned。 Whether or not you agree with his position， his ideas are worthy or consideration and devoid of the nastiness I so often see advanced with certain sects' opposing ideas。 A slim volume but McWhorter's arguments are logical， well supported by evidence （which anyone can find with a modicum of Google-fu） and well reasoned。 Whether or not you agree with his position， his ideas are worthy or consideration and devoid of the nastiness I so often see advanced with certain sects' opposing ideas。 。。。more
Marli
，
3。8 stars。 I like McWhorter’s linguistics articles/books， and this wasn’t up to those standards。 McWhorter correctly identifies race-conscious left ideology as being religion-like， in that it is dogmatic and not particularly grounded in empirics/logic， and believers behave as though it is fact。 But， he overlooks how most of the status quo/status quo ante is also ideological in the same ways （I seem to recall learning in school how the Constitution was this brilliantly designed document…）
Andrew Breza
，
I appreciate someone willing to present a controversial idea in a thoughtful manner。 I don't agree with everything McWhorter says， but this book gave me a lot to think about。 I appreciate someone willing to present a controversial idea in a thoughtful manner。 I don't agree with everything McWhorter says， but this book gave me a lot to think about。 。。。more
Brian M。 Ross
，
Absolutely a must read！
Aviva Shore
，
John McWhorter is mad， indignant， exasperated， and for good reason。 But， it has the unfortunate effect of lending a somewhat patronizing tone to the otherwise excellent content in this book。
Errol Laurie
，
Great analysis of why so many seem to be against logical and reality based questions/arguments， and does a pretty good job of not talking down to them in the process， other than mocking the "do the work" stuff， which I find most important in trying to have impossible conversations Great analysis of why so many seem to be against logical and reality based questions/arguments， and does a pretty good job of not talking down to them in the process， other than mocking the "do the work" stuff， which I find most important in trying to have impossible conversations 。。。more
Claudette
，
I agree with a lot of the author’s points … but he comes across as very smug， which is slightly off putting。 Also， his analogies to religion （although understandable） were a bit far fetched。
Chad
，
Fantastic timely book， a must read！！ The best book I have read in 2022， yes it’s early but I have to guess it will remain in the top few at the end of the year， it’s that good。 So you know where I stand， John McWhorter in my mind is a genius， an academic， a true liberal in the classic sense。 John is one of my favorite podcasters， his bi-weekly podcast with Glenn Loury （on the Glenn Show， self described as “The Black Guys”） is the first I listen to when released， bar none。 John is left of center， Fantastic timely book， a must read！！ The best book I have read in 2022， yes it’s early but I have to guess it will remain in the top few at the end of the year， it’s that good。 So you know where I stand， John McWhorter in my mind is a genius， an academic， a true liberal in the classic sense。 John is one of my favorite podcasters， his bi-weekly podcast with Glenn Loury （on the Glenn Show， self described as “The Black Guys”） is the first I listen to when released， bar none。 John is left of center， writing this book for everyone with an open mind right of the far-left。 If you are thinking what is all the woke activity， what does it mean exactly and I want to hear about it from someone liberal but not hardcore progressive， this book is for you。 He will lay it out clearly as a linguist can， with what I view as real honesty。 I really hope this book reaches the very wide audience it deserves。 I also highly recommend the audiobook version if you are into that， it’s read by John and his smooth voice really does effectively pass along his passion for the subject。 。。。more
Chad
，
McWhorter makes the novel case that progressive political correctness is tantamount to a new religion。 It's an interesting analogy （assuming it is one; I sometimes get the impression he thinks it's literally a religion） but the work is bogged down in fiery rhetoric which detracts from his point and hinders his argument substantially。 It was， admittedly， a painful read which I struggled to get through。 McWhorter makes the novel case that progressive political correctness is tantamount to a new religion。 It's an interesting analogy （assuming it is one; I sometimes get the impression he thinks it's literally a religion） but the work is bogged down in fiery rhetoric which detracts from his point and hinders his argument substantially。 It was， admittedly， a painful read which I struggled to get through。 。。。more
Ksenia Mack
，
This book was disappointing it wasn't well documented， few sources were correctly sited。 Full of generalities， an ambiguous diatribe。 This book was disappointing it wasn't well documented， few sources were correctly sited。 Full of generalities， an ambiguous diatribe。 。。。more
Josh Culbertson
，
Regardless of your position in our current discourse regarding racial justice and equity in the United States， this book is a valuable read。 As with any cultural or racial perspective， being black is not a monolith， and I believe that it is important that the perspectives of all persons of color be heard。 This book does not deny systemic racism。 It also elaborates on the ways in which both conservative and progressive folks have contributed to us being where we are。 It also offers meaningful sol Regardless of your position in our current discourse regarding racial justice and equity in the United States， this book is a valuable read。 As with any cultural or racial perspective， being black is not a monolith， and I believe that it is important that the perspectives of all persons of color be heard。 This book does not deny systemic racism。 It also elaborates on the ways in which both conservative and progressive folks have contributed to us being where we are。 It also offers meaningful solutions to make real improvements in the lives of real people。 I highly recommend！ 。。。more
Rebecca
，
3。5 stars rounded up。 This book is definitely worth reading。 While I disagree that religion and logic are devoid of each other， and find his attempts at describing Christianity not only factually incorrect but exhausting to read， his main point about current political and ideological trends are worth reading。 Not only are they worth reading， but I was surprised by how much I found myself as a fairly conservative person agreeing with this liberal writer。 While I think his thoughts on how to end t 3。5 stars rounded up。 This book is definitely worth reading。 While I disagree that religion and logic are devoid of each other， and find his attempts at describing Christianity not only factually incorrect but exhausting to read， his main point about current political and ideological trends are worth reading。 Not only are they worth reading， but I was surprised by how much I found myself as a fairly conservative person agreeing with this liberal writer。 While I think his thoughts on how to end the war on drugs and how it will improve the current situation overly optimistic， his thoughts on education， college， how to navigate the political times， and why we are even in the current polarizing mess we are in is fantastic。 He doesn't pull his punches when discussing bad scholarship and illogical arguments used in many books concerning Critical Race Theory。 It was a refreshingly optimistic and hopeful look at Race and looking at plausible ways we can help move forward and improve lives。 。。。more
Robert
，
So I don't actually think this is 5 star material。 I think it's very normal， pedestrian writing on an important topic。 But given that I expect it to be firebombed by the elect because it doesn't align with their religion。 I thought it important to pushback the score a bit。 So I don't actually think this is 5 star material。 I think it's very normal， pedestrian writing on an important topic。 But given that I expect it to be firebombed by the elect because it doesn't align with their religion。 I thought it important to pushback the score a bit。 。。。more
David
，
This book feels like it started as an angry email， or an eloquent but slightly drunk rant。 So while it's worth reading， it feels a bit repetitious， and while it's a short book， it still feels longer than it needs to be。 But it's much shorter and quicker to read than， say， Ibram Kendi's grievance manifesto How to Be an Antiracist， so let's let McWhorter have his say。I absolutely agree with McWhorter that "the Elect" are acting religious around antiracism， a concept that in less than ten years has This book feels like it started as an angry email， or an eloquent but slightly drunk rant。 So while it's worth reading， it feels a bit repetitious， and while it's a short book， it still feels longer than it needs to be。 But it's much shorter and quicker to read than， say， Ibram Kendi's grievance manifesto How to Be an Antiracist， so let's let McWhorter have his say。I absolutely agree with McWhorter that "the Elect" are acting religious around antiracism， a concept that in less than ten years has gone from the little-known fringe to mainstream politics。 Among white people， it's spreading via people reading a single book or two， by one transformative experience， or by the simple fear of backlash should they not hop on board。 Very much like a religion。But also very much like a political ideology。 Perhaps WcWhorter would view as religious the Russian Revolution， the French Revolution， the rise of Nazism， the American Revolution， the Red Scare in the U。S。 after WWII， or any other rapid and impactful spread of political ideology。 But I don't see why that designation is useful。Sure， antiracism is spread by fervent believers， it's based more on emotion than logic， it's taken as self-evidently true and not up for debate。。。 but religions don't have exclusive claim on any of these properties。 Adopting the religious frame can blind you to the real facts， and make you shoehorn things into a framework that doesn't always quite fit。 For example， McWhorter likens taking a knee during protests to "postures of prayer" （p。 28）， which is just silly。My other primary problem with this book is that McWhorter views antiracism as a real threat to our society， far beyond anything from the political Right。 He dismisses the January 6， 2021， attack on the U。S。 Capitol as insignificant， because "which official institutions are bowing down to the militant physicality of those who battled with police officers in the Capitol lobby？" （p。 156）。 Well， let's start with the Republican Party。 Only two Republicans in all Congress were even willing to engage with the January 6 Commission， and one has already been thrown out of her state party as a result。 The former president has said he'll pardon all the failed insurrectionists if reelected in 2024。 Arizona's government pushed a fraudulent recount effort， while states across the country are changing voting laws to reflect the concerns of the rioters。 McWhorter sees the antiracism movement as one coherent whole， be it BLM protestors or a series of disconnected books by unrelated authors， but he can only view the Jan。 6 attack in isolation， free from any context？ A good chunk of our country no longer believes in democracy， and we're supposed to think this is a lesser threat than a professor here or there getting suspended？ Control of a faculty senate is more worrisome than control of the U。S。 Senate？It's also disconcerting that McWhorter feels free to make assertions without evidence， such when he mentions "the conclusive determination that [the 1619 Project] is founded on a mistaken interpretation of the historical record" （p。 38） without any citation or proof。But if you read this book for what it is—the rant of a Columbia professor living in NYC about the lack of free and sensible discourse in faculty governments （at least at elite universities） and the left end of Democratic politics。。。 then it's worthwhile。Because it is true that while a lot of us were busy with our work， all of a sudden the ground shifted underneath us and suddenly it's viewed as normal and indeed even good to ask people interviewing to be university administrators how they will embed antiracism at the core of our curriculum across the university。 We don't even know what this means， but we're supposed to nod along that this is a good goal。 How and why has this happened？"Given the millions of other things that constitute human life and endeavor， to impose that undoing power differentials must center all possible endeavor in what we call life is a radical proposition" （p。 11）。 Indeed， and therefore it should warrant extensive discussion。 But to even call for discussion is to risk being called a racist， and "to all but a very few， being called a racist is so intolerable today that one would rather tolerate some cognitive dissonance and fold up" （p。 14）。 "We have become a nation of people attesting that they 'get it' while peeing themselves" in fear （p。 15）。This is not a healthy way to proceed， even though this approach is being put in place by those with the best of intentions。 Most of us in academia have just had our heads down， working on ways to help our students （all of them， of all races and backgrounds）， and now we're in an environment where a person must "embrace a self-flagellational guilt for things you did not do" （p。 68）。 In science departments， we're chastised for not having faculty of color， despite the fact that there is almost no opportunity to do so。 A tiny percentage of PhDs go to people of color， and all universities are just chasing this same small pool。 If we look for the core of the problem， and identify it early in the K-12 system （just like for women in some STEM fields）， asking us to fix it at the college level is bizarre。 "What kind of sense is there in indicting universities and research labs for it， as if they can address the inadequate science teaching in public schools in black neighborhoods？" （p。 109）。McWhorter lumps together critiques of many people active in this space （including the silly neologism "KenDiAngelonian"， which elides their approaches）。 So some of his critiques don't land for specific people， since he designed them with others in mind and was unspecific in their application。 However， he does hit on two very key things that were top of mind for me， since I was reading Kendi at the same time as this book。 The first is the need to "understand the difference between the effects of racism in the past and racism in the present" （p。 125）， and the second is "that this studiously 'antiracist' conception of black identity invalidates calls for people to stress their individuality" （p。 114）， which are two of the largest problems with How to be an Antiracist as far as I could tell。McWhorter proposes some key ideas he thinks would actually help with racial inequity in the U。S。 today （and let's be clear—Kendi does not do that）。 It's perhaps a reasonable list。 I would add to it real gun control， the kind that's currently not allowed given the Supreme Court's bizarre reading of the Second Amendment。 （There's a reason U。S。 cops are so jittery and liable to shoot， and it's not just because we have black people here。 There are black people in the U。K。 too。 But hardly anyone has a gun there， including most cops。）I wanted this book to be something slightly different than it was。 I wanted it to be more scholarly and less of a rant。 But it's what McWhorter felt like writing， and it's still worth a read。 。。。more
Darnell
，
I idly picked up one of these at the library， now I feel obligated to read multiple books on the subject。 I'm not going to give any of these a conventional rating。This one is odd。 It's simultaneously more and less generous to its ideological opponents than average for the genre， extolling their decency and intelligence while painting them with a broad religious brush。 I don't ultimately think religion is a good way to think about any of this: "ideology" is a sufficient word。It's filled with lang I idly picked up one of these at the library， now I feel obligated to read multiple books on the subject。 I'm not going to give any of these a conventional rating。This one is odd。 It's simultaneously more and less generous to its ideological opponents than average for the genre， extolling their decency and intelligence while painting them with a broad religious brush。 I don't ultimately think religion is a good way to think about any of this: "ideology" is a sufficient word。It's filled with language that isn't going to build any bridges， but ultimately its proposals are far from incendiary:1） End the war on drugs2） Improve early reading programs3） Promote/value vocational programs as much as collegeThis is more than any of the other books I read in this series。 For all my complaints， I do think there may be something to the idea that anti-racist training shuns practical action in favor of focusing on "matters of heart"。Certainty: 7/10Practicality: 6/10Sermonizing: 8/10 。。。more
Tyler Southwick
，
I found the ideas really engaging。 The writing not so much; seemed more like a rant at times。 The conclusion was really good。
Joi Podgorny
，
Ugh， this was painful to read。 But probably enjoyable for all the people hearing me shout expletives as I listened to it on my daily walks。Does he bring up interesting points about the similarities between fundamentalist religious adherents and militant far leftists？ Yep。Are some of the “I think you’ve taken that a bit too far” points he makes valid， especially in regards to knee jerk reactions in academia and journalism and their respective cancel cultures？ For sure。But this does not read as a Ugh， this was painful to read。 But probably enjoyable for all the people hearing me shout expletives as I listened to it on my daily walks。Does he bring up interesting points about the similarities between fundamentalist religious adherents and militant far leftists？ Yep。Are some of the “I think you’ve taken that a bit too far” points he makes valid， especially in regards to knee jerk reactions in academia and journalism and their respective cancel cultures？ For sure。But this does not read as a left leaning person saying that some of our flock has gone off the rails。 It reads as right wing pundit declaring truths for far left radicals and then sloppily lumping in most other left tenets in his arguments。 （Not sure where his political lean。 He’s definitely an anti-theist though）He is precisely the type of black author my conspiracy theorist family members would quote when damning some liberal concept， declaring “See？！ A black guy agrees with me so it MUST be true。“Many of the points he makes would be better made by a less angry author （if he’s not angry then I DEFINITELY misread his tone in his self read audiobook） and in a more measured， less sensationalist manner。 It sure made for a fun text thread with my other friends reading it。 So happy it was short。 。。。more
Alex Dimaio
，
How refreshing to read something so brave。
Rebecca
，
I read McWhorter's book-length essay closely and found some few， small points of niggling disagreement with his thesis-supporting observations and conclusions。But overall I agree with his main thrust about the religiosity of the "woke" subscribers who he terms the "Elect" and that the parishioners of this currently-fashionable religion are less fundamentally interested in supporting the 3-step program McWhorter believes will really allow poor black Americans to elevate themselves - end "the war I read McWhorter's book-length essay closely and found some few， small points of niggling disagreement with his thesis-supporting observations and conclusions。But overall I agree with his main thrust about the religiosity of the "woke" subscribers who he terms the "Elect" and that the parishioners of this currently-fashionable religion are less fundamentally interested in supporting the 3-step program McWhorter believes will really allow poor black Americans to elevate themselves - end "the war on drugs" （one of my points of contention）， teach black children to read well， and support vocational training as a perfectly viable alternative to an expensive and presently questionable college education - than they are in virtue-signalling。This guy pulls no punches。 In taking aim at the myopic， aggrieved racial lens through which he and the rest of today's black Americans are urged to see all social interactions， McWhorter says:"Consider also the idea that our main focus must ever be on smoking out remnant racist bias， with its implication that this bias is a conclusive obstacle to black success。 But no such argument has ever been made for any other group in the history of the human species。 We， and only we， because of something peculiar to postindustrial conditions in one nation， can truly look forward only once we have upended basic procedure。 We， and only we， require a vast transformation in psychosocial and distributional procedure in what is， despite its flaws， a functioning democratic experiment in which open racism is prohibited to a degree unknown to human history before five decades ago， and to a degree that would have been considered science fiction as recently as three decades ago。 This idea paints black people as mentally and spiritually deficient children 。。。" （p。80）Demeaning a person by reducing their individual character assessment and personal capabilities to a category of skin pigment level is the injustice known as "racism" and its perpetrators are not necessarily who you may think they are 。。。 。。。more
Alisha
，
I love how this book explains so much about what is wrong with wokeness， and why talking with "the elect" is so frustrating。I wish i had read this book last year， so i could recommend it to the members in the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Group at my old company。 It's validating。 It's educational。 It's brilliant。Thank you， John McWhorter。Also， i love that the author voices his own audiobooks。 It's especially nice for linguistics books。 I love how this book explains so much about what is wrong with wokeness， and why talking with "the elect" is so frustrating。I wish i had read this book last year， so i could recommend it to the members in the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Group at my old company。 It's validating。 It's educational。 It's brilliant。Thank you， John McWhorter。Also， i love that the author voices his own audiobooks。 It's especially nice for linguistics books。 。。。more
CT
，
I can see why reviews of this book are divergent。 There are morsels here that resonate but in the midst of a dog’s breakfast。
Jonathan
，
I liked the book a lot。 Not especially well written， and there were certain less than perfect arguments （from a logical standpoint）。 However， on the whole， I strongly agree with his general argument。
Christian Hartman
，
Words intentionally written as only a linguist by training can， these are arguments which must be wrestled with as the cultural movement towards a new， more virulent view on how we grapple with race in America takes hold
Mike Warner
，
One word review: HyperbolicMore word review:I thought initially that he condescends religion but instead he outright despises it。 His despising of religion is central to his thesis: if only he can show convincing analogies of how modern ract theory is like a religion （he would eliminate the word "like"） then the heavy lifting is done， now we can just dismiss it as pre-rational superstition。McWhorter does not engage with any one sustained argument of his opponents， only mocks sound bites。There ce One word review: HyperbolicMore word review:I thought initially that he condescends religion but instead he outright despises it。 His despising of religion is central to his thesis: if only he can show convincing analogies of how modern ract theory is like a religion （he would eliminate the word "like"） then the heavy lifting is done， now we can just dismiss it as pre-rational superstition。McWhorter does not engage with any one sustained argument of his opponents， only mocks sound bites。There certainly have been overreaches in which misunderstandings or mistakes have been deemed unforgiveable。 But trolling the headlines for shock does not equate to opening up a space for civil discourse on range of possible responses to tensions and efforts to promote racial justice。I have sympathy that his academic environment is different from my own。 For me， any risk of teaching race from the perspective of Catholic Social Teaching in a Catholic school has elicited many parental objections。 I fear for my job security from this parental mob much more than that of the orthodoxy of the far left。But， you know what？ Frustrated as I was， I survived and am maybe more humble and better for it by engaging argument I disagree with。 。。。more
Kristen
，
I had to really reflect on this one， which maybe is the point of the book and would warrant a higher rating。 However， I don't know who John McWhorter is， or why his opinion matters。 His book read like an argument on Facebook - this person is wrong and mean， this thing is wrong because I feel like it。 To equate the antiracist movement to a religion feels wrong on so many levels。 Anyone that has lived in the 2020s has had discussions online， or with friends， and has some of it course corrected？ Su I had to really reflect on this one， which maybe is the point of the book and would warrant a higher rating。 However， I don't know who John McWhorter is， or why his opinion matters。 His book read like an argument on Facebook - this person is wrong and mean， this thing is wrong because I feel like it。 To equate the antiracist movement to a religion feels wrong on so many levels。 Anyone that has lived in the 2020s has had discussions online， or with friends， and has some of it course corrected？ Sure。 But the biggest thing for me was interchanging biases and racism。 I have no problem with slips to learn， or acknowledging one's shortcomings。 I think that is how we grow as humans。 But to completely dismiss something due to feelings of discomfort。。。I don't know， I think that this book misses more of a middleground。 Maybe the author would call me part of the "elect" but i just don't buy the lack of accountability permission this book seems to grant。 I thought there were some good points made， but i found the book frustrating， and no different than having an online fight with a bully who intentionally misinterprets the point。 。。。more
Hezekiah
，
A short concise read on the extremes of the new left。 While it can be some what antagonist those their means， it does accurately describe some misconceptions and misinformation about the new movement。 I would recommend this read to keep one's mind open to all opinions。 A short concise read on the extremes of the new left。 While it can be some what antagonist those their means， it does accurately describe some misconceptions and misinformation about the new movement。 I would recommend this read to keep one's mind open to all opinions。 。。。more
Rachel Allburn
，
After listening to McWhorter on both “Real Time with Bill Mahr” and the “Pivot” podcast with Scott Galloway & Kara Swisher， I did not agree with all he had to say。 However， he seemed like an honest broker （unlike some） and I wanted to read his book。 I still don’t agree with all his views， but this was a worthwhile read。
Sara Jurek
，
What can I say？ McWhorter made some points， and in some ways I can see them， however， I definitely don't agree with them。 Has "Wokeness" become a religion？ I see his points， but no， I don't agree that it has。 Are there weaknesses in the system of believers， the Elect as he calls them？ Yes， but not to the extent that he presents them。 McWhorter presents solutions， 2 of which I agree with， but they seem too simplistic to achieve equity。 This book wasn't written for me， and McWhorter says that pret What can I say？ McWhorter made some points， and in some ways I can see them， however， I definitely don't agree with them。 Has "Wokeness" become a religion？ I see his points， but no， I don't agree that it has。 Are there weaknesses in the system of believers， the Elect as he calls them？ Yes， but not to the extent that he presents them。 McWhorter presents solutions， 2 of which I agree with， but they seem too simplistic to achieve equity。 This book wasn't written for me， and McWhorter says that pretty clearly。 What I'm wondering is whether he believes the arguments he's making or if he is simply presenting a counter argument to achieving equity without subscribing to a religion， as he puts is。 。。。more
Juanita
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 His prescription to saving Black America is three-fold: legalize drugs， ensure proper reading instruction， and encourage vocational training。 These ideas are worthy of an extended conversation。 I wish he spent more time discussing those areas extensively instead of spending the majority of the time criticizing Ta-Nehisi Coates， Ibram Kendi， Robin DeAngelo， Obama， or a well-meaning movement encouraging individuals to have the courage to be critically aware of their thinking （implicit bias） to avo His prescription to saving Black America is three-fold: legalize drugs， ensure proper reading instruction， and encourage vocational training。 These ideas are worthy of an extended conversation。 I wish he spent more time discussing those areas extensively instead of spending the majority of the time criticizing Ta-Nehisi Coates， Ibram Kendi， Robin DeAngelo， Obama， or a well-meaning movement encouraging individuals to have the courage to be critically aware of their thinking （implicit bias） to avoid more tragedies in the future。 The ideology that he’s promoting seems to sow seeds of division and intolerance。 。。。more
Emily
，