Chris Rock Criticizes 'Woke 1.0' Era, Compares Outrage to Salem Witch Trials
The comedian argues that while advocating for marginalized groups is positive, the current approach lacks forgiveness, akin to the Old Testament.
Comedian Chris Rock has voiced his critiques of the "woke" era, suggesting that while the intention to champion marginalized communities is commendable, the modern approach to social justice is overly punitive and lacks forgiveness. He drew a parallel between contemporary outrage culture and the Salem witch trials, and characterized the current phase as "woke 1.0."
During an appearance on "The Daily" podcast, Rock stated, "The problem with wokeness is we're in the Old Testament right now... The Old Testament didn't work. So they had to write a remix called the New Testament." He posited that the post-George Floyd era, which he labeled "woke 1.0," may be receding, with political figures now appearing to distance themselves from its tenets.
Rock elaborated on his view, explaining that while assisting those in need is important, the issue arises "when you institutionalize it." He used the example of the Salem witch hunts, suggesting that after the initial genuine cases, the system evolved to a point where accusations might have been fabricated to justify the existence of witch hunters. "You've got to justify the witch hunters' pensions and s—," he remarked.
He clarified that advocating for forgiveness does not equate to condoning abusive behavior. "You can reprimand your friends... holding them accountable is also part of friendship," Rock said, adding, "If you're only friends with your friends when they're good, they're not your friends."
Despite acknowledging room for improvement in cancel culture and wokeness, Rock expressed gratitude that these movements have allowed certain voices to be heard. However, this perspective was met with disagreement. Kaivan Shroff, a former staffer for Hillary Clinton's campaign, told Fox News Digital that Rock was "oversimplifying this in a way that is pretty self-serving." Shroff argued that outrage is sometimes an intentional part of a comedian's act, used to generate edge or virality, and that comedians should not be surprised when such outrage follows.
Rock is currently promoting his new film, "Misty Green," which he wrote and directed. The movie centers on an aging actress striving for a career comeback, with Rock playing a casting director. He described the film as exploring themes of expiration dates in Hollywood and the contrasting realities of Los Angeles, noting its blend of luxury and visible homelessness.
"L.A. has got very wonky priorities," Rock stated. "There's a real estate office on the same street as The Ivy on Robertson, and in the window, there are houses for $30-$40 million. In the window. But there's a homeless guy sleeping right outside. The movie is about that crazy dichotomy."