“Wokism” as a Manufactured Myth: New Analysis Reveals Term’s Use as Political Diversion
Paris, France – A newly published analysis contends that “wokism,” the widely debated adn frequently enough vilified term, is not a discernible phenomenon but rather a deliberately constructed myth used to deflect attention from critical issues like discrimination, ecological crisis, and the rise of the far-right. The argument, detailed in recent publications including a May 2023 article in The French Review and the 2024 book “Wokism” does not exist. The manufacture of a myth (Éditions BDL),asserts the term’s intentionally vague definition allows for the conflation of diverse theories under a single,stigmatizing label.
The analysis highlights how “anti-wokism” may function as a more effective camouflage for its underlying political agenda than previous iterations of similar critiques, such as “political correctness” or “Islamo-leftism.” It posits that the accusation of ”wokism” is valuable not for its descriptive accuracy, but for its functional role in minimizing or denying the realities of discrimination and its root causes.
The author expresses cautious optimism regarding recent initiatives by public authorities to address ethnic diversity, while warning that the focus on “wokism” represents a genuine threat to democratic ideals. The work builds upon earlier scholarship, including bourdieu’s insights regarding immigration, and aligns with the conclusions of H.-T.Campagne.
The author’s recent and forthcoming publications include Multiculturalism in trial (dialog with Isabelle Barbéris) (Mialet-Barrault,2023),Universalism in debate (s) (dir. With Stéphane Dufoix, Éditions BDL, 2023), Hatred of anti -racism. Dialogue with Régis Meyran (Textual, 2023), Secularism: the great misunderstanding (Flammarion, October 2025), and Souleymane Bachir Diagne. A new thought of the universal (dir., 1st semester 2026).
