Chris Rock slams wokesters for lack of forgiveness after attempting new Salem witch trials during George Floyd riots

Comedian Chris Rock criticized the left’s lack of forgiveness during the woke era, comparing aspects of the movement to the Salem witch trials. Rock said that while the movement might have initially helped marginalized voices to be heard, its institutionalization has created problems.

During an appearance on “The Daily” podcast, Rock discussed “wokeness” and argued that the movement has not allowed people the opportunity to move on from past mistakes.

“The problem with wokeness is we’re in the Old Testament right now,” Rock said. “And the Old Testament has no forgiveness. The Old Testament didn’t work. So they had to write a remix called the New Testament.”

When asked by host David Marchese about potential benefits of the post-George Floyd era, which Marchese referred to as “Woke 1.0,” Rock doubled down by saying that although “it’s great to help those that need help,” problems arise “when you institutionalize it.”

“The Salem witch hunts. I’m sure the first three witches they caught were actually f*cking witches,” he said. “But then you open up a witch office and now you’ve got to start lying. Now you’ve gotta f*cking make sh*t up because you’ve got overhead. You’ve got to justify the witch hunters' f*cking pensions and sh*t.”

Despite his criticism, Rock said he was glad the movement had taken place, arguing it brought attention to marginalized communities. However, he emphasized that one can advocate for forgiveness without condoning “abusive behavior.”

“If you’re only friends with your friends when they’re good, they’re not your friends,” he pointed out.

Rock’s comments come as some prominent Democrats have begun distancing themselves from the woke and cancel-culture era. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for example, was critizied after she said that “Woke 1 was crazy,” despite her past support of cancel-culture-style reactions.

Rock, a longtime Democratic supporter, has increasingly spoken out against cancel culture. In a recent interview with Variety, he admitted that President Donald Trump was “right” about the news media being “fake,” while also mocking the culture of public condemnation.