There was a time when the term “racist” was wielded as a comprehensive label, used to attack anyone who strayed even slightly from the prevailing leftist narrative on race relations. The person labeled would often grovel, apologize, and plead for forgiveness, yet they still faced severe repercussions like job loss, financial hardship, or even hostile encounters at home or work.
Growing up in 80s Appalachia, I rarely encountered black individuals until I went to college, but I was aware that being called a “racist” was one of the most damning accusations one could face. Over the years, I watched as the left gained ground largely because the Right preferred to avoid confrontation. It felt easier to stay silent than to point out patterns that needed discussing.
Indeed, political correctness has been around for a while, but it surged dramatically during Barack Obama’s second term up until 2024—a decade historians might dub the ‘Heyday of Woke.’ During this time, there was a frenzy around racial issues, notably starting with Michael Brown and escalating to a situation where a drug-addicted individual with a violent past somehow became a martyr, leading to protests and the chaos that ensued. This period also saw attempts to normalize discussions around gender identity, the rise of the #MeToo movement, and the COVID-related upheaval that lingered long after 2020.
Many believed that with Donald Trump’s presidency, these chaotic times had come to an end. After four years, it seemed like patriots were back in control, allowing people to express their thoughts without fear of severe consequences. It felt like DEI initiatives were over, and cancel culture was on its way out.
But if you sense a sudden shift in tone, you’re catching on. While one form of woke sentiment may have declined, another, potentially more insidious one has emerged, and the Trump administration along with many Republicans have fully embraced it.
I’m referring to the rising tide of antisemitism, which has come to overshadow other forms of discrimination as the most serious accusation someone can face. This kind of woke-ism is troubling, as it finds support among wealthy elites, is underpinned by religious belief systems, and is often shared across the political spectrum. Disturbingly, a Republican administration seems willing to suppress free speech and target those who dissent—often in favor of foreign interests that excessively influence our policies.
By observing the Trump administration’s actions regarding the supposed threat of antisemitism, one might think anti-Jewish violence is rampant in major U.S. cities. There have been numerous executive orders aimed at combating antisemitism, additional protections for Jewish individuals, and new task forces focused on this issue. Educational institutions that don’t respond vigorously enough to criticisms of Israeli policy may face funding cuts, and individuals could be deported not for legal infractions but for simply supporting an opposing view in the Israel/Palestine conflict. It’s baffling, really.
The irony is that the previously established protections from the former iterations of woke culture don’t shield anyone from this new wave of intolerance. As pointed out by Jewish author and activist Norman Finkelstein in a conversation with Tucker Carlson, the so-called “Jewish supremacist billionaire class” has aligned with the Trump administration to facilitate an unprecedented attack on academic freedom, targeting those in academia who challenge the mainstream narrative on Israel and Gaza.
Finkelstein notably cited the ousting of three Ivy League presidents, all women, including two women of color—individuals who should have benefited from woke protections but didn’t. One would expect outrage from major media in this scenario, yet silence prevailed. This ongoing climate of fear is palpable.
Of course, real instances of racism and antisemitism do exist, but often the perceived threats are exaggerated for political gain. Most accused of racism usually don’t harbor true hatred for other races, and similarly, many branded as antisemitic don’t actually despise Jewish people. While it’s comforting to realize this, it casts a grim light on establishment media and political figures who compromise their principles in favor of foreign interests. The ease with which the label of ‘antisemite’ is used to silence critics of Israeli policies speaks volumes about the credibility of those in power—basically, they have none.
Some on the right, including figures like James Lindsay, love to label right-wing critiques of Israel as “woke,” but the irony is that they are merely rallying to defend their own version of woke culture, trying to divert attention away from it.
It’s just the same old narrative, with a new facade.
