Is "wokeness" the promotion of social justice or the performance of it?

Wokeness. It’s a word that’s gone from badge of pride to insult. 

It’s an idea with religious roots, even though most of its champions would disdain any religious belief. 

Those who’ve embraced wokeness say they’re promoting social justice. 

But to author Musa al-Gharbi, it’s social justice for those wanting to feel progressive while clinging to the status of the upper middle class. 

His book is We Have Never Been Woke: the cultural contradictions of a new elite.

GUEST:

• Dr Musa al-Garbi is a sociologist in the School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook University

This program was first broadcast in March 2025 and was made on the lands of the Gadigal People.