“What’s one specific experience you’ve had that made you question ‘woke’ culture? How did this experience change your perspective, and what advice would you give to others trying to navigate this issue?”
Here is what 4 thought leaders had to say.
Respect Local Traditions Over Woke Ideals
Several years ago, in the early days of wokeness, while backpacking in Thailand, I joined a cooking class where “woke” culture took a sour turn. The instructor, a local chef, shared traditional recipes, including a dish with fish sauce—a Thai staple. A Western tourist loudly called it “unethical” for animal rights reasons, demanding vegan substitutes and lecturing the group on insensitivity. The chef, clearly embarrassed, tried to explain fish sauce’s role in Thai heritage, but the tourist wouldn’t budge, derailing the class and ruining the whole thing. It sucked the joy out of the experience.
This made me rethink “woke” culture’s downside. The tourist’s push wasn’t about understanding—it was imposing their values on a local tradition, ignoring context. I’d seen “woke” in media as well-meaning, but this felt like a power trip, shutting down cultural exchange. It pushed me to prioritize respect for local practices over insane rigid ideals, especially when traveling.
My advice: For the people that have them — when “woke” urges hit, pause and learn the context—ask questions instead of preaching. Try this in one interaction, like a cultural event, and see how it opens doors instead of closing them.
Chris Brewer, Managing Director, Best Retreats
Focus On Skills, Not Political Trends
I was helping a young guy who just finished high school get his first job. We showed up at a local job fair, and he came prepared. He wore a clean shirt, had his resume in hand, and knew what he wanted to say. The first recruiter he talked to skipped past everything and asked about his pronouns and views on diversity. He walked away feeling like he had failed before he even had a shot.
That moment made it clear how messed up the hiring world has gotten. We’re pushing politics before performance. Jobs should be about showing up, learning fast, and working hard. If you’re hiring, look at who can do the job, not who talks the trend. If you’re job hunting, ignore the noise and focus on proving you’re reliable.
Doug Crawford, President and Founder, Best Trade Schools
Balance Genuine Change With Intent
One specific experience that made me question “woke” culture happened when I was part of a work-related discussion on diversity and inclusion. During the conversation, some points were being made that felt overly focused on checking boxes rather than having genuine conversations about creating meaningful change. It made me realize that while good intentions were at the core, sometimes the approach to inclusivity could feel more performative than impactful.
This experience shifted my perspective to recognize that while it’s crucial to acknowledge societal issues, there needs to be more balance between genuine change and not getting caught in superficial or divisive practices. My advice for others navigating this issue is to question the intent behind actions, focus on fostering authentic dialogue, and avoid getting swept up in trends that don’t align with meaningful, sustainable progress. It’s important to stay true to the cause, be open-minded, and always prioritize substance over appearance.
Georgi Petrov, CMO, Entrepreneur, and Content Creator, AIG MARKETER
Embrace Open Dialogue For Understanding
When I first moved to the U.S., I noticed people were quick to label each other—too quick. I shared a thought once about parenting styles from back home, and someone immediately called it “problematic.” They didn’t ask questions or try to understand my culture. That moment stuck with me. I wasn’t trying to offend anyone—I was sharing how things are in Ukraine. But I felt shut down instead of heard.
It made me realize how some parts of “woke” culture can stop real conversations. Intent matters. Background matters. If we cancel everyone who speaks differently, we lose the chance to learn from each other. My advice? Stay open. Ask questions before jumping to conclusions. And give people space to explain where they’re coming from. That’s how real understanding happens.
Natalia Lavrenenko, UGC manager/Marketing manager, Rathly
