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Five Years Later: Wokeness and Free Speech Backlash

5/14/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Five years after Harper's letter raised alarms about threats to free expression, the backlash against "wokeness" has surged during Trump's second term. While some original signatories now criticize his assaults on free speech, many inadvertently fostered a culture that enabled his actions, revealing a troubling shift in elite discourse that reshapes America's cultural landscape.

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Story summary

Five years after Harper's letter raised alarms about threats to free expression, the backlash against "wokeness" has surged during Trump's second term. While some original signatories now criticize his assaults on free speech, many inadvertently fostered a culture that enabled his actions, revealing a troubling shift in elite discourse that reshapes America's cultural landscape.