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