10 Alarming Signs We Have Entered the ‘Anti-Woke’ Era

From 'Eating Disorder Twitter' to Islamophobia

The year 2020 felt like a cultural reckoning. The murder of George Floyd ignited the Black Lives Matter movement on a global scale, demanding systemic change in policing and racism. Social media became a megaphone for activism, with hashtags like #MeToo and #StopAsianHate dominating timelines. Corporations rushed to display solidarity, issuing statements of support, launching diversity initiatives, and adorning their logos with rainbows and black squares. It seemed like society was undergoing a transformative shift toward inclusivity, accountability, and social justice—a moment many described as the “peak woke era.”

But in the years since, “woke” has gone from a rallying cry for progress to a weaponized slur. Originally rooted in Black activism, “woke” was meant to signify awareness of systemic injustice. Today, it is often used pejoratively, dismissed as overreach, virtue signaling, or even a threat to societal norms. The backlash to wokeness, amplified by media and political figures, has birthed a powerful counter-movement: anti-woke ideology.

What makes the anti-woke movement particularly alarming is its real-world implications. It isn’t just about mocking progressive ideals or critiquing excesses in activism. It is strongly tied to material examples of state power being used to suppress dissent and crush movements. From laws criminalizing pro-Palestinian advocacy in schools to censorship of activism on college campuses, anti-woke rhetoric has moved from social media debates to concrete actions with lasting consequences.

This shift is dismantling many of the gains made during the peak “woke” era. From the resurgence of toxic beauty standards to the normalization of hate speech, here are 10 alarming signs that we’ve entered a new and regressive chapter of our cultural moment.

Thin Is Back In

The body positivity movement is being undermined by the rising popularity of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro. Social media platforms are rife with discussions about rapid weight loss, with celebrities openly attributing their transformations to these drugs. This cultural shift signals a troubling return to the early 2000s’ obsession with extreme thinness, erasing years of progress toward body acceptance. On X, Eating Disorder Twitter (EDT) has resurfaced, celebrating unhealthy weight-loss practices under the guise of “body goals.” The glamorization of Ozempic and other quick fixes feeds directly into these harmful narratives, accelerating the decline of inclusive beauty standards and promoting dangerous behaviors.

Meta’s Hands-Off Approach to Content Moderation

Framed as a defense of “free speech,” Meta’s recent decision to scale back content moderation policies will allow misinformation, hate speech, and divisive rhetoric to proliferate across platforms. This decision reflects a broader cultural shift away from accountability, placing profit and user engagement above the safety of marginalized communities.

Slurs Are Making a Comeback

Words that were once widely condemned, like the R-word, are resurfacing in casual conversation and social media. This normalization is often justified as “pushing back against political correctness” or embracing edgy humor, but it erases years of work by activists to create inclusive spaces.

Islamophobia Feels Like Post-9/11 All Over Again

A surge in Islamophobia is alarmingly reminiscent of the post-9/11 era. From France’s abaya ban to the vilification of pro-Palestinian activists, anti-Muslim sentiment is being normalized across politics and media. This resurgence ties directly to the anti-woke movement, which often frames multiculturalism and religious inclusivity as threats to national identity. The parallels to the early 2000s are unsettling, reflecting how little progress has been made in combating deeply ingrained biases.

Pro-Palestinian Advocacy Is Being Criminalized

Efforts to suppress pro-Palestinian activism are escalating in schools, colleges, and public discourse. Laws banning expressions of solidarity with Palestinians, such as boycotts of Israeli goods or educational discussions about occupation, illustrate how anti-woke sentiment is being weaponized to stifle dissent. These measures aim to delegitimize advocacy for Palestinian rights, framing it as extremist rather than a legitimate call for justice.

Donald Trump’s Return to Power

Trump’s re-election has emboldened anti-woke rhetoric, cementing it as a political strategy. His campaign framed progressive ideals as threats to freedom and traditional values, resonating with a base fatigued by the perceived excesses of woke culture. Trump’s victory represents a broader societal rejection of accountability politics, reinforcing a narrative that prioritizes individualism over collective progress.

Cancel Culture Is Collapsing

Once a powerful tool for accountability, cancel culture is losing its effectiveness. High-profile individuals like Louis CK, J.K. Rowling, and Johnny Depp have weathered public backlash and returned to prominence, signaling that the era of consequences may be over. The anti-woke narrative paints cancel culture as mob mentality, dismissing its origins in holding the powerful accountable for harmful actions. This cultural fatigue with accountability further entrenches the anti-woke agenda.

Brands Are Backpedaling on Inclusivity

The fashion industry is witnessing a troubling decline in size inclusivity. The Vogue Business Spring/Summer 2025 Size Inclusivity Report reveals that out of 8,763 looks across 208 shows in major fashion capitals, only 0.8% were plus-size, 4.3% mid-size, and a staggering 94.9% straight-size. This stagnation, coupled with the rising influence of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, indicates a regression to glorifying extreme thinness. Such trends not only marginalize diverse body types but also pose significant health risks, underscoring the industry’s retreat from the inclusivity strides made in recent years.

‘Traditional Values’ Are Trending

Movements like the rise of “tradwives” and hyper-masculine influencers such as Andrew Tate reflect a growing embrace of traditional gender roles. These trends reject progressive ideals around gender equality and inclusivity, instead framing “traditional values” as the antidote to woke culture. While often cloaked in nostalgia, this resurgence is a direct response to the perceived overreach of feminist and LGBTQ+ movements.

The Return of the Victoria’s Secret Runway Show

Once canceled for its outdated beauty standards and lack of inclusivity, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is back—albeit with a rebrand. While the company claims to have embraced inclusivity by introducing more diverse models, the revival of the ultra-glamorized, hyper-sexualized runway spectacle signals a broader cultural shift. This move reflects nostalgia for an era when beauty ideals were narrowly defined, mirroring the pushback against body positivity and progressive representation in fashion.

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