The Enduring Presence of High Wokeness in Contemporary Society

Many commentators suggest that the influence of wokeness peaked during 2020 and 2021 and is now waning. However, this perspective overlooks the persistence and intensity of wokeness, which continues to shape public discourse. It seems likely that this phenomenon will remain active, with uncertainty only about its future focal points.

Here, wokeness is understood not in its original sense as an awareness of systemic inequalities that preserve power for a privileged (often white) elite, but rather as a more radical form—sometimes termed High Woke. This variant is characterized by three central features: first, a prioritization of dismantling societal structures that uphold whiteness above all other objectives; second, a rigorous enforcement mechanism aimed at penalizing those who do not fully commit to this agenda; and third, a tendency to reject inconvenient facts or logical arguments.

High Woke has existed well before the events of 2020. It was occasionally encountered in academic circles during the 1990s, provoking concerns about the rise of so-called 'tenured radicals.' Yet, it lacked the widespread influence it gained in the late 2010s. For instance, the 2008 satirical work 'Stuff White People Like' could still jokingly attribute offense-taking as a defining trait of educated white individuals.

By the late 2010s, however, such humor was often seen as dismissive and inappropriate. The 2019 publication 'The Problem With Everything' captured a growing left-wing sentiment, amplified by social media dynamics, that embraced a prosecutorial radicalism as a moral necessity. Those liberals who hesitated or resisted this shift found themselves increasingly marginalized not only for their views but questioned on their ethical standing.

The murder of George Floyd in May 2020 marked a turning point, propelling High Woke into the mainstream. The ensuing racial reckoning prompted profound changes across academic disciplines, language use, hiring practices, and professional reputations. Many educators expressed fears about job security amid the heightened ideological scrutiny, while workplace dynamics grew more polarized with accusations of moral failings directed at dissenting colleagues.

This period also saw notable incidents emblematic of High Woke's influence. For example, data analyst David Shor was dismissed after highlighting a study by a Black scholar that suggested violent Black protests historically tended to increase Republican support in affected areas. Similarly, leadership at the Poetry Foundation resigned following criticism that their statement on Floyd’s death was insufficiently comprehensive. Moreover, the University of North Texas musicologist Timothy Jackson faced widespread condemnation and calls for removal as editor of The Journal of Schenkerian Studies after publishing an issue critically examining claims that foundational music theory was inherently racist due to its creator’s personal beliefs.