John McWhorter

In Woke Racism, bestselling author and distinguished linguist John McWhorter explores how the modern conversation on race has taken a disturbing turn. This provocative and insightful book argues that an illiberal form of neoracism, cloaked in the guise of antiracism, is not only damaging to black communities but also threatens the cohesiveness of society at large. McWhorter takes a deep...

The New York Times bestseller now in paperback. One of the preeminent linguists of our time examines the realms of language that are considered shocking and taboo in order to understand what imbues curse words with such power—and why we love them so much. Profanity has always been a deliciously vibrant part of our lexicon, an integral part of being...

Nine Nasty Words is a New York Times bestseller. One of the preeminent linguists of our time examines the realms of language that are considered shocking and taboo in order to understand what imbues curse words with such power—and why we love them so much. Profanity has always been a deliciously vibrant part of our lexicon, an integral part of...

Americans of good will on both the left and the right are secretly asking themselves the same question: how has the conversation on race in America gone so crazy? We're told to read books and listen to music by people of colour but that wearing certain clothes is "appropriation." We hear that being white automatically gives you privilege and that...