What is Wokefishing?

Definition (The False Ally)

Wokefishing is a much more recent digital culture term, combining "Woke" (an English term describing being socially aware, alert to injustices such as racism, sexism, etc.) and catfishing.

Wokefishing is a form of deception or manipulation, mainly on dating apps or social networks, where a person pretends to have progressive political or social beliefs (being "woke", feminist, anti-racist, environmentalist, etc.) that they do not actually possess, for the sole purpose of attracting or seducing someone.

It is a form of ideological catfishing. The deception is not in the identity (the person uses their real photos), but in their values and beliefs.

The wokefisher presents himself as a perfect "ally" to gain the victim's trust.

The Ideological Seduction Technique

The wokefisher's technique is mimicry. The person identifies that, in certain social circles or dating apps, appearing as a social justice advocate is an attractive quality.

Therefore, he tailors his speech to appear sensitive and engaged.

He may put pronouns in his bio (even if he doesn't understand why), an anti-racist fist or a feminist symbol, and in the initial conversation, he will use the "progressive" jargon that the victim expects to hear.

The goal is purely instrumental: to use the "disguise" of an ally to get a date, a relationship or a sexual interaction.

The manipulation lies in the fact that they are using the victim's deepest values (their commitment to social justice) as a tool for seduction, without sharing that worldview at all.

Discovery and Impact

The wokefishing is discovered when the relationship progresses and the wokefisher's actions begin to contradict his words.

The victim notices his "ally" making "tongue-in-cheek" sexist comments, being insensitive to a social issue, or simply revealing his true ideology once he has achieved trust or sexual objective.

The impact on the victim is a deep sense of betrayal and manipulation. She feels that her ideological commitment and values have been trivialized and used as a tool.

While perhaps not as devastating as identity catfishing, it is still a form of emotional abuse and deception that generates frustrat