America Is Becoming Less “woke”
The Economist, 2024
Abstract
The article argues that “woke” views, defined as a focus on social justice issues such as racism, sexism, and transphobia, peaked in the early 2020s in the United States and have been declining since. This decline is evident in various domains, including public opinion polls, media coverage, academia, and the corporate world. The article cites data showing a decrease in the proportion of Americans who express concern about racial injustice, a decline in media usage of “woke” terms, a reduction in calls for academic censorship, and a decrease in corporate initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). However, the article cautions against concluding that “wokeness” is fully receding, pointing to the persistence of “woke” ideas in various sectors and the potential for future shifts in public opinion. – AI-generated abstract.
