Perhaps using a reference like 88 isn't strengthening your argument, as this is an edge case. It represents the most extreme form of racism and doesn’t offer an accurate reflection of the diverse reasons people critique ‘woke’ culture. Referencing 88 misleads that all critiques of wokeism are rooted in white supremacy, which is entirely inaccurate.

Baldwin’s work is useful for getting insight into certain social dynamics, however his range is stunted by a reliance on critical theory.

By offering authors and thinkers who parrot the same ideology only risks creating a circular argument. You are reinforcing a limited ideological perspective without engaging with a broader range of insight and research. For example, your interpretation of your Trump supporter anecdote doesn't offer any insight but seems to be a reflection of your biases.

As mentioned, far more people critique wokeism for reasons that have nothing to do with racism. Bringing an ideological bias to your conversation resulted in no insights gained, nor any meaningful dialogue with the Trump supporter.

I suggest venturing outside of the critical theory trap. Check out "The Righteous Mind” by Haidt, this is a good book and offers a different lens through which to view these issues. Haidt uses psychology to explain why people have different moral foundations and how these drive political divisions. His analysis provides insights into why people may critique 'woke' culture for reasons unrelated to white supremacy, highlighting the importance of moral values like fairness, loyalty, and authority.