Origins and History of Woke | HISPBC Ch.1 (Hanson)

Summary

The transcript is a discussion between an interviewer and Victor Davis Hanson, focusing on the cultural and political shifts in America, especially around the concept of 'woke.' Hanson explores the evolution of 'woke' from early 20th-century racial awareness to its modern political usage. He discusses the shift from class to race as a primary societal lens, comparing it to political correctness (PC) and historical trends. The conversation touches on cultural changes, from Disney's remakes to rewriting historical narratives, warning against the dangers of moral superiority and historical revisionism.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker comments on the contrast between rural California (Central Valley) and urban areas (Palo Alto), highlighting infrastructure decline.
• 🚗 Traveling across California now takes significantly longer due to issues like construction delays and a stalled high-speed rail project.
• 🎸 The term 'woke' originated from a 1938 song by blues musician Lead Belly, advising people to stay aware of racial injustices.
• 📅 In 2012, 'stay woke' became a hashtag following the Trayvon Martin case, and by 2017, 'woke' was defined as being aware of social and racial justice issues.
• 📚 The speaker describes 'woke' as a modern version of 19th-century religious awakenings, focused on achieving equality through state intervention, mainly regarding race.
• ⚖️ Woke ideology is described as prioritizing race over class in addressing inequality, which differs from traditional Marxism.
• 🏀 The speaker critiques how even wealthy individuals like LeBron James and Barack Obama are portrayed as victims within the woke framework.
• 🔧 Wokeism is said to be at odds with meritocracy, where people's success should be based on their abilities, not their race or superficial traits.
• 🗿 Historical revisions, such as changing classic literature or art for modern political purposes, are compared to past practices in Rome and the Soviet Union.
• 📽️ A modern example of woke culture is the upcoming Disney live-action Snow White, which redefines the story with a feminist twist, removing the prince as a key figure.

Q & A

What cultural shift does Victor Davis Hanson notice when traveling from the Central Valley to Palo Alto?

Victor Davis Hanson notes a stark cultural shift when traveling from the Central Valley to Palo Alto, highlighting the difference in infrastructure quality and the visible increase in homelessness and trash as he approaches the Bay Area.

How does Hanson describe the progress of California’s high-speed rail project?

Hanson criticizes the high-speed rail project as a failure, stating that despite $15 billion in spending, not a single foot of track has been laid, with only unfinished overpasses visible, likening it to Stonehenge.

What does Hanson identify as the origins of the term 'woke'?

Hanson traces 'woke' back to the 1938 Lead Belly song 'Scott's Borough Boys' and a broader tradition of social awareness, particularly focusing on issues of racial justice. He contrasts this with its modern use, which started gaining traction in the 2010s with movements like Black Lives Matter.

How does Hanson describe the shift from class-based to race-based activism?

Hanson argues that modern woke ideology shifted from class-based Marxist activism to race-based, focusing on immutable characteristics like race. He attributes this shift to the presidency of Barack Obama, who redefined diversity and prioritized race over class.

What is Hanson's criticism of the woke ideology?

Hanson criticizes woke ideology for fostering collectivism based on race, arguing that it creates a polarized society. He warns that focusing on superficial characteristics like skin color undermines meritocracy and leads to tribalism.

How does Hanson connect the concept of woke with historical movements?

Hanson connects woke ideology to earlier movements like the 19th-century Protestant Great Awakening. He notes its emotional and fervent nature, which he contrasts with the more rational political correctness (PC) movement.

What example does Hanson provide from Libya to illustrate the problems of non-meritocratic systems?

Hanson recounts a story from Libya, where he observed that hiring was based on tribal considerations rather than merit. This led to inefficiencies like unfilled potholes despite Libya being a major exporter of oil, highlighting the dangers of abandoning meritocracy.

How does Hanson view America’s experiment as a multiracial democracy?

Hanson praises the U.S. for being one of the only successful multiracial democracies, contrasting it with countries like Brazil and India, which he argues are not as effective. He believes America's success is due to a shared belief in constitutional values rather than race or ethnicity.

What is Hanson's perspective on the future of 'woke' ideology?

Hanson warns that woke ideology is not static and future generations may judge today’s values harshly. He suggests that moral superiority in the present could lead to cultural backlashes or new ideologies that might rewrite history in their own terms.

What does Hanson think about the modern reinterpretation of classic stories like Disney’s 'Snow White'?

Hanson views the modern reinterpretation of classics like 'Snow White' as part of a broader historical pattern of recalibrating art and literature for political purposes. He believes this trend undermines the complexity of history and could lead to a cycle of constant revision.