Lunch time Discussion/Debate: Wokeism/Woke Capitalism? Left, Right, Good or Bad?
Details
This week's 'suggested' prompt question (please read Rules below):
What is Wokeness? It is deeply connected to views held by liberalism and Marxism that speak against oppression. The general woke concept is that capitalism (and capitalists) should act for the good of all of society (not for only a select few) and share their wealth - in turn this will curb inequities, marginalization etc. A helpful video below.
“Woke Capitalism” has been termed largely by critiques of wokeism. They argue that it means that business leaders take their cues from progressive political elites rather than from their customers, employees and shareholders. In that vein, Vivek Ramaswamy makes a compelling argument in a passionate video (link below) about how woke capitalism, itself, is from the left/democratic realm and how it acts as a structure to actually help maintain the inequities of capitalism. He argues that wokeists do not bother these big corporations/capitalists and leave them alone (not calling the racists and greedy capitalists), so as long as they buy into the woke ideologies: inclusion, diversity, equality, climate change, and promote its rhetoric. He argues that Chinese somehow are able to play the West by using wokeism to control the markets, and that, somehow, wokeism is a threat to democracy.
As passionate and interesting as Vivek's argument is, it still strongly rieks of extreme right and nationalist ideology because he blatantly ignores (and fails to explain) the systemic racism and marginalization that inherently has existed for many years within power structures such as Capitalism before wokeism—the very thing wokeism challenges! All of this empirically quantified in the data and stats such as the percentages of rich white populations vs the poorer Black or people of colour. The meaning of woke is also being constantly weaponized: for example, the Guardian argues: "Like “politically correct” before it, the word “woke” has come to connote the opposite of what it means. Technically, going by the Merriam-Webster dictionary’s definition, woke means “aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)”, but today we are more likely to see it being used as a stick with which to beat people who aspire to such values, often wielded by those who don’t recognise how un-woke they are, or are proud of the fact". See link below.
Vivek ignores the fact that wokeism is making a positive impact on society (in other words, the message is working) on corporations and gov't institutions in the West; post wokeism, these entities are now more likely to be promoting and protecting the interests of the whole of society (such as inclusion, race and cultural diversity), and make policies in accordance with this. The upshot is that these changes are helping curb racism and marginalization by bringing these issues to the forefront. New policies are more reflective of, and benefit, all of society rather than a select few or just the elite. In other words, society is being recognized as being more heterogeneous and diverse. Although not perfect, wokeism has more advantages than disadvantages for the majority of society.
https://diversity.social/wokeism-woke-culture/#3-the-benefits-and-advantages-of-wokeism-
25 examples of Woke
https://helpfulprofessor.com/woke-examples/#Arguments_For_and_Against_Wokeism
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introduction:
I’m looking for others to engage in friendly ONLINE discussion and debate once a week on scholarly and other topics on a wide series of subjects. I enjoy discussing anything from politics to theories - Indigenous affairs, race/gender theory, feminism, decolonization ideas and ideas about New Social movements. I’m interested in discussing the discourse and intersections of current topics as well. No held bars, but subject to the below rules.
Rules:
The first rule is that there is no attacking (or being rude) to the other person allowed. Deal with the argument, not attack the person making it.
Secondly, we do not discuss our personal backgrounds, education or other things - all we will know is our first names. This will allow the perception of the discussion and debate being on a level-playing-field - we are all, in any event, different and we can all learn from one another.
Thirdly, topic selection will be decided either by me (the moderator) or the group that day in a majority vote.
Finally, NO RECORDING allowed in any way.
There is no requirement for cameras to be on.
I look forward to meeting you.
Ali