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Notes -
I don’t agree with the second quote. I think the performance of wokeness is a fashionable belief that they tend to use either to get attention and praise or to distance themselves from the ordinary person who must hold more pragmatic ideals about themselves and the world. He’s in a sense showing off his position by arguing that life should be made harder for people like himself. He does this because as a successful entertainer, he doesn’t have to worry about DEI or similar programs because he isn’t applying for the kinds of jobs that are subject to those programs. Even in the acting community, they’re not going to skip a major star because he’s the wrong color. Casting a star means several million from the jump. It might affect more junior actors because they don’t yet have his draw, but he’s already got his.
This seems to be how these sorts of luxury beliefs work. They’re impractical, often doing real damage to lower class people who naively believe them and follow the advice. And rarely do those espousing those beliefs practice them in their own lives. I’ve yet to see any actor turn down a role to give it to a minority or a woman. It’s more often that they insist that others give up theirs to others. They don’t want to give up their roles, they want you to give up your promotion.
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