Part 7/12:
The irony lies in how public spaces, including coffee shops, libraries, and community centers, are increasingly politicized, leading to a "culture war" over who has the right to use them and under what conditions. The shift reflects a broader societal trend: the retreat from inclusivity toward establishing boundaries, which some view as a sign of the "death of woke" culture.
The Decline of Wokeness and Corporate Posturing
The narrative often points to Starbucks' initial open door policy as a woke... well-intentioned but ultimately unworkable experiment. The move was catalyzed by the 2018 Philadelphia incident, which prompted the company’s "panic response"—a desire to appear more inclusive while losing sight of practical safety and business needs.