THB #629: Whose Woke Is It Anyway?

“The reason Kamala Harris lost is because America is sick of wokeness.”
- a lot of people

What are the 3 movies everyone is talking about as a phenomenon right now?
Moana 2, Wicked, Gladiator II.

What are the current frontrunners for the Best Picture Oscar this season?
A Complete Unknown, The Brutalist, Wicked, Emilia Pérez, Anora, Gladiator II,
Dune: Part II, Nosferatu, Conclave, September 5

Are you figuring this out for yourself?

The weaponized idea of “wokeness” and the reality of what being woke is meant to be about are in direct conflict.

“Woke,” for the lack of a better word, is not really political… it is moral. (Yes, all things are ultimately political… different discussion for a different day.) And on that principle, I believe that regardless of who you might have voted for in the last election, most Americans are actually on the same page.

This is not to say that I think all choices are equal. I don’t. But while I still, sadly, believe that there is a lot of racism and sexism and blind fear and hate of The Other in our country and across the globe, I cling to the idea that the majority - 70%-ish - don’t hate blindly. Perhaps the greatest tool in inspiring fear and loathing is not the idea of The Other existing, but that The Other will impose on the freedom of other individuals (aka “you”) to exist as they have existed.

Of course, change is often required in the name of basic decency. Change is hard for most people. But it’s the degree.