To End Wokeism, Conservatives Must Change

Right-Wing Revolution presents a plan both profound and practical for defeating wokeism and re-establishing common sense in politics and daily life.

Right Wing Revolution: How to Beat the Woke and Save the West

By Charlie Kirk, Winning Team Publishing, 2024 • 317 pages

The verdict: This book is a compelling call for conservatives to stand up and fight for our civilization.

WHY THIS BOOK MATTERS

While cogently delineating the disaster of wokeness, Kirk in this book provides a hands-on, practical “blueprint for a right-wing revolution.” His program of action approaches the problem from an unexpected angle: going beyond just criticism of wokeness, Kirk focuses on what’s wrong with conservatives. Complacent right-wingers must take a page from the woke playbook and wake up, he says: only no-holds-barred engagement, on the federal, state and local levels, will save the West.

THE ARGUMENT

Backing up memorable sound bites with solid evidence, Kirk unmasks wokeness as “a mental illness that believes itself to be the cure.” It is resentful, psychologically brittle, and elevates feelings above reality. Its “obsession with identity,” has made America “the most race-conscious country on Earth.” So why has this distasteful ideology become so pervasive? Two reasons stand out: First, woke activists have consolidated their influence with skill and determination; they’ve instrumentalized the country’s massive bureaucracy, for example, to intimidate and silence people: “It’s a perfect recipe for tyranny: Woke bureaucrats have made everyone a criminal, and then they simply decide who they feel like prosecuting.” Second, in our reluctance to get our hands dirty, conservatives have let it happen.

“Winning is going to require that you, personally, step up…if you aren’t willing,…you are playing your own small role in the death of this great country.”

WHAT WORKS

Kirk shows the need for conservative action now. He then describes what action is needed and how to get on with it. Conservatives must learn the arguments that expose wokeness’s fundamental dishonesty, and do the hard work: get involved in everyday politics, especially at the state and local levels. Kirk also says wokeness, as a faith system, cannot be defeated without strong, true faith. A Christian, Kirk frankly, but affectionately, addresses non-Christian conservatives: “I propose you seriously examine why you are not a believer….if you’re a conservative…you clearly think truth matters, and that morality is objective. Do you think that impulse toward a moral universe is just random noise from evolution…? Consider trying a prayer….You might be surprised….”

WHAT DOESN’T

Kirk was a man of boundless energy that few can match. Thus the sheer length of his list of what must be done to defeat wokeness and restore the West can seem overwhelming. In reading this book, it makes sense to focus on setting priorities and moving forward step by step rather than setting goals that require more time and energy than you have. The only other noticeable weakness in this book is that Kirk sometimes comes close to advocating that conservatives engage in lawfare just as the woke do. In my view, we must take a principled stand against the criminalization of political differences—which could destroy our democracy—and show consistency by not engaging in it ourselves.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The conservative change in attitude that Kirk calls for includes personal improvement as well. “America is awash in cultural trash,” he says. Conservatives need to escape that by reading great books, listening to good music, going offline to rest and study. We must eat well, guard our health and dedicate more time to family and marriage. Above all, Kirk argues that “long-term victory [over wokeness] will require some kind of spiritual rebirth.” Summing it up, Kirk says: “it is our duty to live righteous lives, so that we might deserve [God’s] favor and mercy.” In order to fight ferociously, yet fairly, we must practice charity toward our enemies.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The vicious murder of Charlie Kirk is a devastating demonstration that he was right about woke destructiveness. With its insightful arguments and practical tips on how to engage, this book is essential reading for conservatives who want to restore Western greatness. Read this book, and then, to quote its final sentence, “Let’s get at it.”