E74: We Have Never Been Woke: A Conversation with Musa al-Gharbi

🎙 The Amalgamation: Episode 74🔎 At-a-Glance Summary

In this episode, host Bruce Reyes-Chow speaks with Musa al-Gharbi about his book, We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite. The conversation dives into wokeness, race, education, and politics, challenging the gap between elite progressive rhetoric and the lack of material change for marginalized groups. Expect a balance of sobering insights and witty exchanges.

✨ Episode Highlights

• Why the term "wokeness" often refers to the symbolic performance of activism rather than substantive policy reform.
• The function of cultural contradictions within elite institutions, and how they neutralize true social justice movements.
• A critical look at the role of politics and education in perpetuating the very systems they claim to be critiquing.
• Musa's perspective on what a truly "woke" or equitable society would actually prioritize.

✊🏽 About Our Guest/s

Musa al-Gharbi (Sociologist, Stony Brook University)

Musa al-Gharbi is a sociologist in the School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook University. His first book, We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite, is out now with Princeton University Press. His second book, Those People, is scheduled for release in late 2026 with Princeton University Press. Musa's Substack, Symbolic Capital(ism), explores themes that cut across both books.

In this episode, Musa joins Bruce to discuss the core arguments of We Have Never Been Woke, examining the gap between stated progressive ideals and their practical, often contradictory, outcomes within influential institutions.

📬 Connect with the Guests

• Website: https://musaalgharbi.com/
• Newsletter: https://musaalgharbi.substack.com/
• Bluesky: @musaalgharbi.bsky.social

🔗 Episode Links & Resources

• Musa al-Gharbi's book: We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite
• Announcement for Musa's second book: Those People
• Musa al-Gharbi's Substack: Symbolic Capital(ism)
• The book's paperback release date is October 8th.
• Beyond the Easiest Cases
• Alienated America by Timothy Carney

🏷️ Tags / Hashtags

#TheAmalgamationPodcast #WeHaveNeverBeenWoke #Wokeness #MusaAlGharbi #CulturalContradictions #SocialJustice #Politics #PodcastLife

🎧 The Amalgamation Podcast

Hosted by Bruce Reyes-Chow, The Amalgamation is a podcast about people doing good in the world, exploring faith, justice, and the messy beauty of humanity. Be sure to subscribe to, rate, and review The Amalgamation Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. The Amalgamation Podcast Team: Emmie Hix (Producer), Dessiree McFarland (Editor), Merisssa Magdael-Lauron (Music). For all show inquiries, contact [e-mail]

🎙️ Your Host, Bruce Reyes-Chow

Bruce Reyes-Chow is a 3rd Generation...