After Woke: What Comes Next?

For years, “wokeness” has dominated cultural and political discourse, hailed as a necessary reckoning by some and dismissed as performative posturing by others. But are we now entering a post-woke era? And if so, what comes next?

At this event, we delve into these questions through the lens of Musa al-Gharbi’s provocative book, We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite. Al-Gharbi argues that the progressive movement, far from being an unstoppable force for change, has been shaped by the interests and blind spots of a highly educated, disproportionately privileged elite. He suggests that what passes for radical activism often reinforces, rather than challenges, existing hierarchies—alienating those it purports to help and fuelling reactionary backlash in the process.

Musa al-Gharbi will discuss his book in conversation with Ralph Leonard, a writer for UnHerd who critiques the identity-driven politics of the modern left while advocating for universalist principles. The discussion will be chaired by Helen Lewis, journalist and staff writer at The Atlantic, known for her incisive analysis of politics, feminism and ideology. Together, they will examine whether we are moving beyond wokeness, what a new cultural paradigm might look like and what this means for the future of the left.

Event Details
Date and time:

• 📅 29th May 2025
• ⏰ Discussion - 7pm - 8.30pm

Location - The Union Club, 50 Greek Street, London W1D 4EQ

🗣️Join us for a post-event social.
From 8:30pm onwards, all attendees are welcome to join us for informal drinks and conversation. You’ll have the chance to chat with fellow guests and speakers over a drink (available to purchase at the bar). Whether you're keen to unpack the evening’s ideas, debate topics further, or simply unwind, we’d love for you to join us.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Union Club, 50 Greek Street, London, United Kingdom