The Unwoke Elite: How Symbolic Capitalists Benefit from Inequality

The Rise of the Symbolic Capitalist

Are you a champion of social justice, a vocal advocate for equality? Perhaps you're also a highly educated professional working in a field like education, finance, or media. According to Musa al-Gharbi, a Stony Brook University journalism professor, you might be inadvertently perpetuating the very inequalities you claim to oppose. In his forthcoming book, "We Have Never Been Woke," al-Gharbi argues that a new elite, the "symbolic capitalists," are the primary beneficiaries of modern inequality.

These individuals, often working in roles that don't involve producing physical goods or services, hold significant cultural and political power. They believe their perspectives deserve more weight, and they strive for a higher standard of living than those working in service industries.

"We think that our perspectives should count more than the person checking us out at Stop & Shop," al-Gharbi explains. "We think we should have a higher standard of living than the people delivering packages to our doorsteps.”

The Contradictions of Wokeness

Al-Gharbi argues that the "woke" discourse of the 21st century, while seemingly focused on social justice, actually masks a deep-seated elitism. This new iteration of "political correctness," with roots in movements like Occupy Wall Street, allows symbolic capitalists to maintain their privileged position while appearing virtuous.

While decrying the 1%, this group often ignores its own complicity in upholding the system. They benefit immensely from the super-rich, providing the intellectual and administrative scaffolding for their vast wealth. "Are the billionaires drafting their own PR...doing their own legal paperwork?" al-Gharbi asks, highlighting the essential role symbolic capitalists play.

Credential Inflation and the Exclusion of Outsiders

The dominance of symbolic capitalists extends to all branches of government, shaping policy and reinforcing their own influence. Al-Gharbi points to the overwhelming presence of lawyers in the White House since Jimmy Carter as evidence of this trend. Further consolidating their power is the phenomenon of credential inflation. Elite institutions and publications are dominated by graduates of prestigious universities, creating a closed loop where those "holding the elite accountable" are often deeply connected to them.

Using journalism as an example, al-Gharbi notes the prevalence of Ivy League graduates in top media outlets. "If the elites you're supposed to be holding to account are your classmates from Harvard...that radically changes how you go about the job," he observes.

Breaking the Cycle

So, how do we dismantle this system? Al-Gharbi suggests a radical shift in approach. True persuasion, he argues, requires engaging with those who hold opposing viewpoints. "If I want to convince people that...bombing Syria is a bad idea," he explains, "it doesn't do a lot of good to write in an outlet like Al Jazeera where everyone already agrees."

This same principle applies to addressing inequality. Symbolic capitalists must confront their own complicity and actively work to dismantle the structures that benefit them at the expense of others. This requires honest self-reflection, a willingness to listen, and a commitment to true allyship, not just performative gestures.