# How is anti-wokeism different from sexism and/or racism? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 11, 2023, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604 "2023-02-11T01:12:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/304 "2023-02-21T15:34:18Z")
I think you assume that I think you have that mindset, not really, that is why I wanted you to clarify. What you need to realize here is that “those people” are the ones that vote for the ones that we should not ignore or act as if they are “just blowhards”. ---
**Author:** ![up2eleven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/up2eleven/32/13432_2.png) [@up2eleven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up2eleven)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/305 "2023-02-21T15:35:44Z")
We also need to remember that how we treat others is a reflection of our own character, not theirs. We don’t have to be “nice”, but shittiness and snarkiness won’t accomplish anything useful. Not saying you do that, but those who do so by default are why “woke” people are often not taken seriously. It’s also how potential allies are chased away. After all, butthurt is the sustenance of trolls. Starve them, and you disempower them. Lash out, and they get just what they seek. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/306 "2023-02-21T15:53:20Z")
Well that is a clarification I did not expect, there is still a bit to unpack there, are you not aware that “woke” is nor being used much now by minorities and left leaning people **because** of the hijacked meaning the right put on it? The way you use it here shows the problem when many centrists (and some on the left) ignore the “dog whistle” component of using “woke” as a slur. Also, that post is assuming that snarkiness is a property of people or organizations that just want to give a fair deal to minorities. One should not forget that when one side (the left) got the memo on discouraging the use of “woke”, what it left is then the right wingers that use that word to tell groups and organizations (with a lot of white people) to not be “minority lovers”. And then also left are centrists that do fall for the feigned ignorance of the right wing talking points and ignore the dog whistle. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/307 "2023-02-21T16:48:32Z")
> [@up2eleven](#): > > I already said they are there. I’m not disagreeing with you. Read what I wrote. I just said they aren’t the norm. Sure, but do you see the double standard you’re endorsing here? When someone on the right is racist/sexist/homophobic, they’re “not the norm.” When someone on the left is pushy judgmental, it’s “the problem with wokeism.” If there’s one person on the left who’s an asshole, it taints the entire left. If there’s one person on the right who _isn’t_ as asshole, it redeems the entire right. ---
**Author:** ![YWTF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/d07c76/32.png) [@YWTF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YWTF)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/308 "2023-02-21T17:42:57Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > Well that is a clarification I did not expect, there is still a bit to unpack there, are you not aware that “woke” is nor being used much now by minorities and left leaning people **because** of the hijacked meaning the right put on it? I keep seeing this asserted, and yet I know plenty of black people who talk dismissively about “wokeness”. The idea that it’s just a conservative bogeyman has become, ironically, very much a bogeyman itself. And it makes everyone saying this look like the stereotypical hipster who only superficially interacts with people outside of their bubble but foolishly thinks otherwise. When minorities are casually erased as was done above, it only worsens the perceptions that are expressed in this article: > **[Black Democrats Are Fighting Back Against 'Woke' Progressives](https://www.newsweek.com/black-democrats-are-fighting-back-against-woke-progressives-opinion-1660583)** > > People who have seen the suffering on the ground have no patience for the vapid, empty sentiments and self-serving "solutions" of those who want to use our pain to increase their power. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/309 "2023-02-21T17:47:04Z")
Deleted. ---
**Author:** ![up2eleven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/up2eleven/32/13432_2.png) [@up2eleven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up2eleven)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/310 "2023-02-21T17:53:16Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > When someone on the right is racist/sexist/homophobic, they’re “not the norm.” That’s not what I said. I was saying those who make policy and have the power to actually do harm are not the norm. Bigots are sadly all too common, but few of them actually have a hand in making policy and therefore aren’t worth wasting time on. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/311 "2023-02-21T17:54:43Z")
And you can’t see _any_ connection between the two? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/312 "2023-02-21T17:55:50Z")
> [@up2eleven](#): > > Bigots are sadly all too common, but few of them actually have a hand in making policy Are you talking about America? Like, the American political system? Because from where this foreigner sits, it’s at minimum 50% bigots there. That’s not “a few” even _per capita_, never mind in size of influence. ---
**Author:** ![up2eleven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/up2eleven/32/13432_2.png) [@up2eleven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up2eleven)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/313 "2023-02-21T17:58:24Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Are you talking about America? Like, the American political system? Because from where this foreigner sits, it’s at minimum 50% bigots there. That’s not “a few” even _per capita_, never mind in size of influence. Jesus shitting christ…Let me try again… Of the bigots that exist, few of them are in a position of power. Of the people in power, yeah, tons of bigots. Most of the people you argue with on social media are not in a position of power. Save your rage for those who are. Or, don’t, and continue lashing out and see how far that gets you in winning allies and solving problems. You do you. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/314 "2023-02-21T17:59:05Z")
> [@YWTF](#): > > And it makes everyone saying this look like the stereotypical hipster This is a clever way to insult those who disagree with you, but it doesn’t advance an argument. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/315 "2023-02-21T17:59:21Z")
> [@up2eleven](#): > > That’s not what I said. I was saying those who make policy and have the power to actually do harm are not the norm. And how did they get in a position that allows them to make policy and do harm? They were put there by all the people who heard their bigotry, and thought, “Sounds good to me!” ---
**Author:** ![up2eleven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/up2eleven/32/13432_2.png) [@up2eleven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up2eleven)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/316 "2023-02-21T18:00:30Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > And how did they get in a position that allows them to make policy and do harm? They were put there by all the people who heard their bigotry, and thought, “Sounds good to me!” No shit. But what does lashing out at them on social media accomplish? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/317 "2023-02-21T18:04:43Z")
> [@up2eleven](#): > > Most of the people you argue with on social media are not in a position of power. They’re not heads of households, employers, teachers, policemen? You don’t have to be President to have power. > [@up2eleven](#): > > Or, don’t, and continue lashing out and see how far that gets you in winning allies and solving problems. [Worked just fine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_resistance_to_apartheid) for me in the past, thanks… playing nice never won me my freedom from racist oppression, doing something _angry_ did. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/318 "2023-02-21T18:05:45Z")
> [@up2eleven](#): > > No shit. But what does lashing out at them on social media accomplish? But you weren’t arguing that it was ineffective, you were arguing that most of the people who are on the receiving end aren’t actually that bad. Which point do you want to defend? That we should be nicer to people who hate us, or that there aren’t really that many people who hate us in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/319 "2023-02-21T18:07:13Z")
Is this some sort of “Be quiet and leave them alone, and they will go away” gambit? As has been said before, it is possible to take more then one path in fighting them, and letting it be known publicly and loudly that there are those that oppose them for very good reasons seems like a decent method to me. ---
**Author:** ![up2eleven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/up2eleven/32/13432_2.png) [@up2eleven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up2eleven)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/320 "2023-02-21T18:08:08Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > playing nice never won me my freedom from racist oppression, doing something _angry_ did. Didn’t say be nice. Believe it or not, one can solve problems while maintaining a sense of emotional maturity. Don’t take the troll bait. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/321 "2023-02-21T18:11:52Z")
> [@up2eleven](#): > > Didn’t say be nice What the fuck else was “continue lashing out and see how far it get you” supposed to mean? > [@up2eleven](#): > > Believe it or not, one can solve problems while maintaining a sense of emotional maturity. Knowing when and how to use anger _is_ emotional maturity. Only the emotionally stunted don’t get angry at things that _should_ make them angry. > [@up2eleven](#): > > Don’t take the troll bait. I get angry at actual evil actions. I recognize trolling when I see it, believe me, and it doesn’t make me angry, the way actual bigotry does. More like some combo of pitying and amused - _pitused_, IYW. ---
**Author:** ![up2eleven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/up2eleven/32/13432_2.png) [@up2eleven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up2eleven)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/322 "2023-02-21T18:13:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Is this some sort of “Be quiet and leave them alone, and they will go away” gambit? > As has been said before, it is possible to take more then one path in fighting them, and letting it be known publicly and loudly that there are those that oppose them for very good reasons seems like a decent method to me. One can care deeply, state their case, and be direct without acting like a five-year-old throwing a tantrum. That’s what I’m saying. Discourse has gone to shit on social media because people’s communication skills are like using the box of a few oversized primary color crayons when there are the 64-color boxes available. There are so many other ways of communicating and various other tactics that are more effective. Be angry. Be passionate. But most of all, be effective. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604/323 "2023-02-21T18:15:06Z")
> [@up2eleven](#): > > One can care deeply, state their case, and be direct without acting like a five-year-old throwing a tantrum. That’s what I’m saying. You have said this, _a lot_, but you have yet to show it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-anti-wokeism-different-from-sexism-and-or-racism/979604.md?page=17)