“What’s one creative way you’ve expressed your anti-woke views through art, writing, or other media? How was it received, and what did you learn from the experience?”
Here is what 11 thought leaders had to say.
Clarity Trumps Noise in Authentic Marketing
I wrote a piece pushing back on brands forcing identity politics into product messaging. If you sell software, then speak to that. Do not drag in causes that have nothing to do with what you offer. Some pushed back, others quietly reached out and thanked me. That article pulled in four new clients who said they were done with performative marketing. It showed me that saying what you mean without filters still works. You do not need noise, you just need clarity.
Sean Clancy, SEO Specialist/Managing Director, SEO Gold Coast
Beyond Completion: Training Metrics That Actually Matter
As far as monitoring training metrics is concerned, I must say that based on my experience it is not sufficient to monitor simple completion rates. Engagement and retention are the most important metrics to follow not simply completion of a course.
As an example, we have been monitoring the number of those who come back to the material after the first learning circle in our mentorship programs. A practical indicator of the extent to which employees were internalizing material is the rate at which they re-watch material or ask follow-up questions. A course that has been completed may appear as a win but when there is no one going back to it and using the knowledge, the value is not there.
Time-to-competence is another important metric that we concentrate on. How much time does it take a worker to implement the training to real-life situations? We gauge this by observing the speed at which the learners are able to apply what they have learnt in their daily tasks. When they can do projects faster once they have finished a course, we are confident that training is doing the job. That is much more appropriate success indicator compared to whether they clicked through all of the modules.
Lastly, I would also be watching feedback loops. If your training programs give a way of the learners to comment on the programs or provide a rating of the material, then this will be priceless in seeing where to work on. Training programs are so crude on too many occasions and the kind of feedback that you receive at the user level can enable you to make the required corrections to improve the training experience to all the individuals that will be implicated in the process within the shortest time possible.
Hone John Tito, Co-Founder, Game Host Bros
Jazz Artist Challenges Woke Culture Through Music
If I hear anything that I would have called a “woke view,” I answer it with my music. Last year, I wrote an article about “Censored Freedom.” I had wrote the song after growing impatient with the way the woke culture is asserting itself on art in general and jazz in particular. Rather than an artist being able to tap into their raw, honest emotions there seems to be more and more pressure to play it safe or ‘follow the rules’ and be ‘politically correct’ which I find stifling towards the organicness of creating and expressing.
On “Censored Freedom” I was aiming for jagged, uncomfortable harmonies & rhythms that some people might find uncomfortable or upsetting. The music wasn’t played to jazz conventions or to the territories of jazz that many people would probably consider appropriate now. I played this track during one of my sets which lead into the track by discussing how a part of society, at least what I feel when it comes to the Arts, almost seem to tell artists to censor themselves so as not to screw up or offend anyone.
Steve Nixon, CEO & Founder, Free Jazz Lessons
Legal Scholar Confronts Compulsory DEI Speech
Before, I could not stand the concept of compulsory speech. Don’t put thoughts into my head, you know? I even published this entire article in a law review—yeah, pretty nerdish, but it was on how all this Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) stuff at work actually conflicts with the First Amendment rights. In essence, I shouted against the legal and, to be honest, moral fiasco of forcing people to gulp down some opinions because some corporation demands it. Not only is it a buzzkill, but it is also a slap in the face to free speech, which everyone here is supposed to be in love with, last time I checked.
In any case, that article did very well. All of a sudden, it was being cited in these hot-blooded policy debates by people who are not too fond of compulsory DEI stuff. It sort of poked the bear—like, how far does free speech extend when you work in a private company? Is it so much the move to compel employees to believe in something simply because the HR says so? I find it a little excessive.
The only thing I learned out of the entire fiasco is that you can pretty much make the spiciest take sound valid when you enclose it in enough academic jargon. You have to play the game. Present your argument in a fancy dress and make it sound in the language of law and rights, and people have to listen. Yes, I received some flak—what is new?—but it showed that it is possible to get people to have real conversations about tricky social things when you are considerate (and perhaps a bit sneaky) in how you present it.
Oliver Morrisey, Estate Lawyer | Owner & Director, Empower Wills & Estate Lawyers
Safe Spaces May Limit Student Intellectual Growth
I wrote an article on how safe spaces in schools could limit the capacity of students to interact with alternative ideas. I claimed that universities, which used to encourage discussion, are now too concerned with protecting feelings, and its something that hinders free expression of ideas.
People were divided. Others agreed that excessive safeguarding is detrimental to the capacity of students to deal with challenges. Some were offended that my work disregarded the actual problems students might have and the need of emotional safety.
I discovered that it is important to challenge popular opinions but you should always be cautious of sensitive matters. People may not always agree but as long as it is done in a respectful manner, it can bring forth fruitful discussions.
John Beaver, Founder, Desky
Sculpture Depicts Individual Freedom Under Pressure
I was once commissioned to sculpt a figure to display at a company event, which indicates free thinking in an era where everyone tries to fit in. It depicted a single golfer in an open field, where there was a sky above that appeared to be closing in on him. The work represented the difficulty with being true to who you are in the face of external pressures.
It received mixed reactions. Some liked the message of individuality, but others were unsure with the concept of being independent as it may conflict with unity. The lesson taught me that art is an opportunity to raise meaningful discourse & resistance is likely to arise when one remains authentic. It echoed the importance of staying true to yourself even when it is hard.
Katie Breaker, Sales Director, BirdieBall
Attorney Questions PC Language in Legal Profession
In one of my LinkedIn posts, I expressed my opinion about the impact of overly cautious language & its influence on the legal sector. In particular, I mentioned the increase of politically correct language that might introduce the problem of ineffective communication in our profession where the accuracy & clearness of words are very important. I stated that as professionals, we must be in a position to speak out without the fear of offending anybody every now and then. I said that law is a field of work of interpreting the law as it is and that too much redefining of terms would miscast the work.
Some individuals, particularly people in the legal field, supported it as they were glad that someone was bringing up an issue they had long been feeling but did not speak about. They exchanged the experiences of how politically correct language had complicated legal work. Conversely, there were those who attacked me by accusing me of being insensitive wondering whether my opinions were trivializing notable social aspects such as inclusivity. Nevertheless, the discussion turned out to be a fruitful one. This taught me that though we need to speak up, we as well need to allow a free flow of discussion, respecting the other views but remaining firm on what we think we need in our professional practices.
Ron Harper, Licensed Paralegal/Owner, OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Services
Courtroom Sketches Challenge Cancel Culture
My anti-woke outlook was presented through a series of courtroom sketches that I had made. I did when I was becoming more and more alarmed by the emergence of the cancel culture, in which individuals were being publicly put on trial and convicted of harboring ideas or opinions that did not conform with the current progressive narrative. There is one particular example that motivated me and that was watching the fury whirlwind that occurred around the statements of J.K. Rowling regarding gender and sex. They wanted her books banned and were in uproar calling to silence her even though she was not propagating hate but her point of view.
I responded by sketching a scene in a courtroom in which Rowling was on trial for being guilty of thought crimes. The jury members were of extreme, overly-sensitive facial expression, which are representative of this type of radical left-wing social justice warriors who insist that conformity is more important than anything. The judge, in this case, was a parody of a politically correct person, who did not even give an opportunity to defend herself or even talk about what she said. The scene was not only a commentary on her situation, but a greater tendency I felt was developing, in which individuals were being ostracized, terminated, or humiliated in some other way, merely because they had the audacity to voice concerns that contradicted the ever more strict perceptions of gender, race, or history
Others applauded the sketches as a courageous attack on the threat of suppressing different views, whereas others criticized me of trivializing serious social concerns. It made me understand that satire and particularly that of the current woke movement can be a successful tool to frustrate ideas and at the same time a two-edged sword.
Mike Kruse, Criminal and DUI Lawyer, Kruse Law
Short Story Quietly Champions Independent Thought
The most artistic form of output in which I demonstrated my opinions was in the form of a short story about a character who fought groupthink silently in a work-related location. There was no politics, no labels in the story, there was an individual who did not give up on personal values, asked sincere questions and preferred to be accountable instead of being popular. They were implicit yet the words were clear to get the point- matters of independent thought is important, even when it is awkward.
I told a small group who were my friends, associates and some readers who read my stuff online and the response really surprised me. People recorded it as an inspiration, others claimed that it made them introspective and they thought about the moments when they remained silent in order to be accepted. The lesson that I learned is that you do not always have to scream your position so loud to get heard. There are times when stories that draw people to think out of the box instead of telling them what to believe carry the greatest lasting impression. That equilibrium did not weaken the message; on the contrary.
Ryan McCallister, President & Founder, F5 Mortgage
Art Series Explores Balance Between Self and Society
A couple of years ago, I produced a set of visual arts works addressing the balance theme as its center point, namely the balance between the individual and the demands of society. The painting had abstract characters bursting through the walls, which held symbolic representations of liberating thoughts and actions beyond the conventions that, at times, put a limit on individual development. It was a slight bow to the value of having a sense of self in a world that told people to conform.
The works were not massively shared, only a small circle of friends and colleagues could see them, yet they generally received positive feedback. Individuals gave me some lovely feedback about how the work made them conscious of just how much of the thinking is driven by outside influences, and others were exhilarated by the theme of self-empowerment and responsibility towards self. The art appealed to the people who believed in the power of independent thinking and reflection, and it encouraged the discussion of the search for balance in this rapidly evolving world.
The lesson I got out of that experience is how powerful art can be in influencing people to consider their values and world perception. Though it was a small audience, I feel like making something that made people think and reflect better is worth it, which I always aim to do, in my role in life and through work.
Kira Byrd, Co-Founder & Co-Owner, Curl Centric
Substance Over Slogans Builds Successful Practice
My values are reflected in my approach to managing my business as I am personally responsible, skilled, and professional and do not follow a trend or send a message that I am doing something. I have developed an atmosphere where respect is mutual and that patients and staff are not treated as labels. I never force politics into patient care and it has caused people to actually be attracted to me because they are seeking something with more substance than a slogan.
The reaction has been positive since individuals can sense the difference. They desire genuine care, not culturally-plagued care based on assumptions or cultural jargon. The thing I have learned is that you do not have to keep up with every trend to represent something. Hardly any campaign or statement can speak louder than quiet consistency, high standards, and an ability to stay focused on doing a good work.
Dr. Carolyn Kittell, Cosmetic and General Dentist | Business Owner, Smile Essentials Cosmetic Dentistry
