The Illusion of Liberty: How the Anti-Woke Right Betrayed Its Own Principles

[Social Media]

 

The Illusion of Liberty: How the Anti-Woke Right Betrayed Its Own Principles

 

Once heralded as champions of free speech and defenders of constitutional liberty, the anti-woke right has morphed into a movement defined not by the ideals it once claimed to uphold, but by its thirst for power and its relentless crusade against the political left. This coalition of influencers, podcasters, and tech elites rose to prominence by voicing concerns many Americans shared — about cancel culture, censorship, and the overreach of public institutions. But their evolution has revealed a troubling truth: their fight was never about liberty, but about control.

 

Fuelled by public frustration following the racial reckoning after George Floyd's murder and the divisive impact of COVID-19 lockdowns and mandates, the anti-woke right gained momentum. They spoke in plain terms that resonated with many: "Let us have a say," "We don’t mindlessly obey," and "The elite doesn’t have a monopoly on truth." In the face of overzealous pandemic policies and double standards — such as the case of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, which was denied permission for outdoor, masked worship even while protests and restaurant dining were permitted — their criticisms struck a chord.

 

 

This moment could have sparked a constitutional revival, a chance to reaffirm the Bill of Rights and uphold freedom of expression amid societal upheaval. Instead, the movement turned inward and grew hostile. As Khawaja Asif said in a different but thematically resonant context, “We will not have any option, have absolutely no option.” The anti-woke right seemed to believe it had no choice but to mirror the tactics it once denounced.

 

Their betrayal of free speech was not subtle. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis led the charge with laws banning the teaching of critical race theory and limiting discussions of gender and sexuality in schools. He attacked the autonomy of universities and punished Disney for opposing his policies. DeSantis proudly claimed Florida as the place “where woke goes to die,” but the real casualty was open discourse.

 

In Donald Trump’s second term, the tactics of DeSantis have only been amplified. Trump has taken aim at law firms, private universities, and even individuals on the basis of their political beliefs or speech. Immigrants have been targeted simply for what they say. And through it all, few from the anti-woke right have voiced objections.

 

Their movement now resembles a distorted reflection of the far left they once critiqued. Activist Chris Rufo, one of the anti-woke right’s most prominent figures, has openly embraced the Marxist theories of Antonio Gramsci, advocating for cultural dominance by seizing control of institutions and media. “The right needs a Gramsci,” Rufo argues — an astonishing admission from a movement supposedly built on opposing such ideological strategies.

 

What we’re witnessing is not a defense of liberty but a consolidation of power. The anti-woke right has become a mirror image of Herbert Marcuse’s “repressive tolerance” — except in reverse. Where Marcuse advocated for silencing the right in favor of the marginalized, today’s right silences the left under the guise of protecting traditional values. As the Rev. Walter Fauntroy once said, “The First Amendment gave us the ability to speak,” and “Almighty God softened men’s hearts.” But the anti-woke right has discarded that legacy in favor of political advantage.

 

The core of liberty lies in protecting individuals from power, not in wielding power to silence dissent. The anti-woke right cloaked itself in the language of liberty when it felt threatened, but now that it commands influence, its true aim is clear. This was never a movement for freedom. It was always a movement for dominance.

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from New York Times  2025-04-26

 

 

[MarkBR]

Anti-woke are Trump's blackshirts

[dinsdale]

Just another opinion piece from the left. Not sure, for example, how getting men out of women's sports is "a consolidation of power" and a "threat to liberty". This is clearly about women's rights.. 

[impulse]

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Just another opinion piece from the left. Not sure, for example, how getting men out of women's sports is "a consolidation of power" and a "threat to liberty". This is clearly about women's rights.. 

 

Yup.  Just more Orange Man Bad.  Trying to shame and silence the deplorables who support him.

[Chomper Higgot]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

The core of liberty lies in protecting individuals from power, not in wielding power to silence dissent. The anti-woke right cloaked itself in the language of liberty when it felt threatened, but now that it commands influence, its true aim is clear. This was never a movement for freedom. It was always a movement for dominance.

Very clearly the case

[impulse]

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Very clearly the case

 

I guess you missed Matt Taibi's Twitter files.  Not hard to believe, given that Rachel, Whoopie and Joy didn't talk about them.

 

The OP is just confession by projection.  Calling out the right for what lefties have been doing for years.

 

[connda]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

The Illusion of Liberty: How the Anti-Woke Right Betrayed Its Own Principles

 

Once heralded as champions of free speech and defenders of constitutional liberty, the anti-woke right has morphed into a movement defined not by the ideals it once claimed to uphold, but by its thirst for power and its relentless crusade against the political left. This coalition of influencers, podcasters, and tech elites rose to prominence by voicing concerns many Americans shared — about cancel culture, censorship, and the overreach of public institutions. But their evolution has revealed a troubling truth: their fight was never about liberty, but about control.

 

Fuelled by public frustration following the racial reckoning after George Floyd's murder and the divisive impact of COVID-19 lockdowns and mandates, the anti-woke right gained momentum. They spoke in plain terms that resonated with many: "Let us have a say," "We don’t mindlessly obey," and "The elite doesn’t have a monopoly on truth." In the face of overzealous pandemic policies and double standards — such as the case of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, which was denied permission for outdoor, masked worship even while protests and restaurant dining were permitted — their criticisms struck a chord.

 

 

This moment could have sparked a constitutional revival, a chance to reaffirm the Bill of Rights and uphold freedom of expression amid societal upheaval. Instead, the movement turned inward and grew hostile. As Khawaja Asif said in a different but thematically resonant context, “We will not have any option, have absolutely no option.” The anti-woke right seemed to believe it had no choice but to mirror the tactics it once denounced.

 

Their betrayal of free speech was not subtle. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis led the charge with laws banning the teaching of critical race theory and limiting discussions of gender and sexuality in schools. He attacked the autonomy of universities and punished Disney for opposing his policies. DeSantis proudly claimed Florida as the place “where woke goes to die,” but the real casualty was open discourse.

 

In Donald Trump’s second term, the tactics of DeSantis have only been amplified. Trump has taken aim at law firms, private universities, and even individuals on the basis of their political beliefs or speech. Immigrants have been targeted simply for what they say. And through it all, few from the anti-woke right have voiced objections.

 

Their movement now resembles a distorted reflection of the far left they once critiqued. Activist Chris Rufo, one of the anti-woke right’s most prominent figures, has openly embraced the Marxist theories of Antonio Gramsci, advocating for cultural dominance by seizing control of institutions and media. “The right needs a Gramsci,” Rufo argues — an astonishing admission from a movement supposedly built on opposing such ideological strategies.

 

What we’re witnessing is not a defense of liberty but a consolidation of power. The anti-woke right has become a mirror image of Herbert Marcuse’s “repressive tolerance” — except in reverse. Where Marcuse advocated for silencing the right in favor of the marginalized, today’s right silences the left under the guise of protecting traditional values. As the Rev. Walter Fauntroy once said, “The First Amendment gave us the ability to speak,” and “Almighty God softened men’s hearts.” But the anti-woke right has discarded that legacy in favor of political advantage.

 

The core of liberty lies in protecting individuals from power, not in wielding power to silence dissent. The anti-woke right cloaked itself in the language of liberty when it felt threatened, but now that it commands influence, its true aim is clear. This was never a movement for freedom. It was always a movement for dominance.

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from New York Times  2025-04-26

 

 

 

When the Left is in power they are all about implementing the Censorship Industrial Complex.
When the Right is in power, suddenly the Left becomes 1st Amendment absolutists.  Hilarious.

[blazes]

This article, besides being shamelessly mendacious, has been written as if the last four years under the Pravda White House had never existed.

[FlorC]

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

Their betrayal of free speech was not subtle. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis led the charge with laws banning the teaching of critical race theory and limiting discussions of gender and sexuality in schools.

TEACHING leftist radicalism in SCHOOLS , is not betrayel of free speech.

Indoctrination of woke ideologies in schools is not betrayel of free speech.

 

Al the things lefties/democrats accuse the right with , they did them selves.

But if they do it , it is ok and protected . When we do it , it is a crime.

 

 

 

[Snackbar]

Garbage

[thaipo7]

3 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Very clearly the case

Very clearly written by a Marxist.  Pure propaganda.

[candide]

From the unanimous MAGA reactions, it seems the article is raising a quite relevant issue! 

[Zenwind]

   I enjoyed the original post here, thinking it could have been written by an actual libertarian.  I read it thinking that it was unusual because it hammered both left-weenies and right-weenies for holding high the banner of constitutional rights and individual liberty only when they are in the backwaters of the power minority.  Both left and right tend to forget about such constitutional ideals when back in power.  

 

   What surprised me a bit at the end was that it was printed in the left-weenie New York Times.  I guess they are confessing that they are politically powerless at the moment, grasping for long-lost principles of the American Founders.  Will they uphold these principles when they someday regain Power?  Doubtful.  Both left and right worship power, and liberty ends up second-rate.  

[roquefort]

1 hour ago, blazes said:

This article, besides being shamelessly mendacious, has been written as if the last four years under the Pravda White House had never existed.

It's the good old NYT, doing what it does. Hypocritically ignoring the faults of the left-wing censorship industrial complex and complaining when free speech is restored.

[Magictoad]

8 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

The Illusion of Liberty: How the Anti-Woke Right Betrayed Its Own Principles

 

Once heralded as champions of free speech and defenders of constitutional liberty, the anti-woke right has morphed into a movement defined not by the ideals it once claimed to uphold, but by its thirst for power and its relentless crusade against the political left. This coalition of influencers, podcasters, and tech elites rose to prominence by voicing concerns many Americans shared — about cancel culture, censorship, and the overreach of public institutions. But their evolution has revealed a troubling truth: their fight was never about liberty, but about control.

 

Fuelled by public frustration following the racial reckoning after George Floyd's murder and the divisive impact of COVID-19 lockdowns and mandates, the anti-woke right gained momentum. They spoke in plain terms that resonated with many: "Let us have a say," "We don’t mindlessly obey," and "The elite doesn’t have a monopoly on truth." In the face of overzealous pandemic policies and double standards — such as the case of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, which was denied permission for outdoor, masked worship even while protests and restaurant dining were permitted — their criticisms struck a chord.

 

 

This moment could have sparked a constitutional revival, a chance to reaffirm the Bill of Rights and uphold freedom of expression amid societal upheaval. Instead, the movement turned inward and grew hostile. As Khawaja Asif said in a different but thematically resonant context, “We will not have any option, have absolutely no option.” The anti-woke right seemed to believe it had no choice but to mirror the tactics it once denounced.

 

Their betrayal of free speech was not subtle. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis led the charge with laws banning the teaching of critical race theory and limiting discussions of gender and sexuality in schools. He attacked the autonomy of universities and punished Disney for opposing his policies. DeSantis proudly claimed Florida as the place “where woke goes to die,” but the real casualty was open discourse.

 

In Donald Trump’s second term, the tactics of DeSantis have only been amplified. Trump has taken aim at law firms, private universities, and even individuals on the basis of their political beliefs or speech. Immigrants have been targeted simply for what they say. And through it all, few from the anti-woke right have voiced objections.

 

Their movement now resembles a distorted reflection of the far left they once critiqued. Activist Chris Rufo, one of the anti-woke right’s most prominent figures, has openly embraced the Marxist theories of Antonio Gramsci, advocating for cultural dominance by seizing control of institutions and media. “The right needs a Gramsci,” Rufo argues — an astonishing admission from a movement supposedly built on opposing such ideological strategies.

 

What we’re witnessing is not a defense of liberty but a consolidation of power. The anti-woke right has become a mirror image of Herbert Marcuse’s “repressive tolerance” — except in reverse. Where Marcuse advocated for silencing the right in favor of the marginalized, today’s right silences the left under the guise of protecting traditional values. As the Rev. Walter Fauntroy once said, “The First Amendment gave us the ability to speak,” and “Almighty God softened men’s hearts.” But the anti-woke right has discarded that legacy in favor of political advantage.

 

The core of liberty lies in protecting individuals from power, not in wielding power to silence dissent. The anti-woke right cloaked itself in the language of liberty when it felt threatened, but now that it commands influence, its true aim is clear. This was never a movement for freedom. It was always a movement for dominance.

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from New York Times  2025-04-26

 

 

"The core of liberty lies in protecting individuals from power, not in wielding power to silence dissent"

That's a thought- LOL

[WDSmart]

The right, which is indeed "anti-woke," has no principles. The only thing they care about is ME, ME, ME. 😞 

[Nick Carter icp]

Just now, WDSmart said:

The right, which is indeed "anti-woke," has no principles. The only thing they care about is ME, ME, ME. 😞 

 

   Who are these anti-woke people that care about you so much ?

[WDSmart]

10 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Who are these anti-woke people that care about you so much ?

"Anti-woke" people don't care about anyone but themselves. "Woke, " according to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, means: "aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)". So it's "woke" people who care about you. 

[Nick Carter icp]

Just now, WDSmart said:

"Anti-woke" people don't care about anyone but themselves. "Woke, " according to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, means: "aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)". So it's "woke" people who care about you. 

 

   Anti Woke people whom oppose Men hitting Woman in Boxing matches care about the person being hit .

   Anti Woke people care about children being exposed to pornography in schools .

   Woke people do not care about anything , their sentiment is "do whatever you want and don't care about anyone else" 

[BritManToo]

28 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

The right, which is indeed "anti-woke," has no principles. The only thing they care about is ME, ME, ME. 😞 

Sorry, but I don't care about you at all.

[Thingamabob]

A truly pathetic piece from, surprise, surprise, the New York Times.

[Lacessit]

19 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Sorry, but I don't care about you at all.

Which proves the poster's point for him.

[WDSmart]

25 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Anti Woke people whom oppose Men hitting Woman in Boxing matches care about the person being hit .

   Anti Woke people care about children being exposed to pornography in schools .

   Woke people do not care about anything , their sentiment is "do whatever you want and don't care about anyone else" 

I absolutely disagree...
Woke people care about both the person being hit in a boxing match and the person hitting them.
Woke people care about children being indoctrinated in schools by not telling them the truth about history and forbidding them from learning about certain subjects.
Woke people care about almost everything. Their sentiment is "in whatever you do, do it with care for other people." 

[WDSmart]

33 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

55 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

The right, which is indeed "anti-woke," has no principles. The only thing they care about is ME, ME, ME. 😞 

Sorry, but I don't care about you at all.

So, assuming you consider yourself to be on the "right," that supports what I just wrote above. 

[Nick Carter icp]

27 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

I absolutely disagree...
Woke people care about both the person being hit in a boxing match and the person hitting them.
 

 

   You cannot have it both ways .

You cannot support both sides if the argument .

Woke people don't have an opinion about things they just agree with everyone and say yes to everyone .

   My opinion, Men shouldn't hit Woman in Woman's boxing and so men shouldn't be allowed to participate 

[Nick Carter icp]

47 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Which proves the poster's point for him.

 

32 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

So, assuming you consider yourself to be on the "right," that supports what I just wrote above. 

 

   It was humour that went right over your heads 

[jesimps]

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

The Illusion of Liberty: How the Anti-Woke Right Betrayed Its Own Principles

 

Once heralded as champions of free speech and defenders of constitutional liberty, the anti-woke right has morphed into a movement defined not by the ideals it once claimed to uphold, but by its thirst for power and its relentless crusade against the political left. This coalition of influencers, podcasters, and tech elites rose to prominence by voicing concerns many Americans shared — about cancel culture, censorship, and the overreach of public institutions. But their evolution has revealed a troubling truth: their fight was never about liberty, but about control.

 

Fuelled by public frustration following the racial reckoning after George Floyd's murder and the divisive impact of COVID-19 lockdowns and mandates, the anti-woke right gained momentum. They spoke in plain terms that resonated with many: "Let us have a say," "We don’t mindlessly obey," and "The elite doesn’t have a monopoly on truth." In the face of overzealous pandemic policies and double standards — such as the case of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, which was denied permission for outdoor, masked worship even while protests and restaurant dining were permitted — their criticisms struck a chord.

 

 

This moment could have sparked a constitutional revival, a chance to reaffirm the Bill of Rights and uphold freedom of expression amid societal upheaval. Instead, the movement turned inward and grew hostile. As Khawaja Asif said in a different but thematically resonant context, “We will not have any option, have absolutely no option.” The anti-woke right seemed to believe it had no choice but to mirror the tactics it once denounced.

 

Their betrayal of free speech was not subtle. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis led the charge with laws banning the teaching of critical race theory and limiting discussions of gender and sexuality in schools. He attacked the autonomy of universities and punished Disney for opposing his policies. DeSantis proudly claimed Florida as the place “where woke goes to die,” but the real casualty was open discourse.

 

In Donald Trump’s second term, the tactics of DeSantis have only been amplified. Trump has taken aim at law firms, private universities, and even individuals on the basis of their political beliefs or speech. Immigrants have been targeted simply for what they say. And through it all, few from the anti-woke right have voiced objections.

 

Their movement now resembles a distorted reflection of the far left they once critiqued. Activist Chris Rufo, one of the anti-woke right’s most prominent figures, has openly embraced the Marxist theories of Antonio Gramsci, advocating for cultural dominance by seizing control of institutions and media. “The right needs a Gramsci,” Rufo argues — an astonishing admission from a movement supposedly built on opposing such ideological strategies.

 

What we’re witnessing is not a defense of liberty but a consolidation of power. The anti-woke right has become a mirror image of Herbert Marcuse’s “repressive tolerance” — except in reverse. Where Marcuse advocated for silencing the right in favor of the marginalized, today’s right silences the left under the guise of protecting traditional values. As the Rev. Walter Fauntroy once said, “The First Amendment gave us the ability to speak,” and “Almighty God softened men’s hearts.” But the anti-woke right has discarded that legacy in favor of political advantage.

 

The core of liberty lies in protecting individuals from power, not in wielding power to silence dissent. The anti-woke right cloaked itself in the language of liberty when it felt threatened, but now that it commands influence, its true aim is clear. This was never a movement for freedom. It was always a movement for dominance.

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from New York Times  2025-04-26

 

 

NYT garbage. Complete and utter woke propaganda, just like England's Guardian. 

[WDSmart]

11 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   You cannot have it both ways .

You cannot support both sides if the argument .

Woke people don't have an opinion about things they just agree with everyone and say yes to everyone .

   My opinion, Men shouldn't hit Woman in Woman's boxing and so men shouldn't be allowed to participate 

You say this because you are not "woke."

You can support both sides of an argument. One side of an argument is not necessarily absolutely correct, and the other side wrong. If you believed that, you would not understand the existence of trans people. You'd think there are only two genders, and nothing in between.
Woke people, like me, do have opinions. I express them here on AseaNow forums all the time. That doesn't mean I agree with everyone, especially you, but I do believe I understand where you are coming from and why you hold the opinions you do. i do support your right to express them.
In my opinion, no one should hit anyone else in any sport, boxing included. What kind of "sport" is it where you intend to hurt someone else? So, no, men shouldn't hit women or other men, and women shouldn't hit men or other women as some kind of "sport." I'd only agree with hitting someone else in self-defense, and then men could hit both women and men, and women could hit both men and women.


 

[WDSmart]

17 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

 

   It was humour that went right over your heads 

No, I knew the poster humorously interpreted "ME" to refer to me and not himself. You obviously did not appreciate the humor in my reply. 

[Nick Carter icp]

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

Their betrayal of free speech was not subtle. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis led the charge with laws banning the teaching of critical race theory and limiting discussions of gender and sexuality in schools

 

   That's not quite the full story .

They had books in school libraries when pre pubescent children studied.

   And the colour illustrated books instructed pre pubescent boys how to have anal sex with each other and that's its normal to masturbate when driving a car and also how to have webcam sex with people online and measures needed to be taken so your Parents don't find out .

  Paedophile sexually explicit books were banned from school, libraries for underaged children .

   Dont try to pass that off as any kind of free speech