In today’s topsy-turvy world of subversion and dominance, the term ‘woke’ seems to have sprouted wings. Politicians of the conservative stripe, their comrades in media, and the uncannily combative relative on Facebook, are engaged in what appears to be a race to censure ‘woke’ with unparalleled zeal. Witnessing these phenomena from afar, one can’t help but wonder if there’s tangible value to this contentious word. Interestingly enough, if some commentators had a solid understanding of the word’s meaning, they’d probably dampen their fervor around it.
Although ‘woke’ has now become the choice expression of disdain for many, it did retain some of its innocuous meaning. Historically, within the African-American community, ‘stay woke’ mainly served as a call to remain vigilant against systemic injustice. However in the aftermath of George Floyd’s tragic death, the expression has gained global traction, primarily through the apparatus that is the Black Lives Matter movement.
Since then, ‘woke’s’ meaning has evolved – or distorted, depending on who you ask. Critics from nationalistic and politically conservative circles opted to utilize it as an umbrella term for policy or movements that fell out of sync with their perspective. Every time the term ‘woke’ gets brandished with a furrowed brow at a press conference or in the pages of an op-ed, it signals the voice of a traditionalist – or a backwards-looking constituent bent on keeping societal statuses unaltered.
More strikingly, there’s hardly a day when a torrent of exasperated comments on social media doesn’t echo this sentiment, reacting to the most benign posts with tired phrases of ‘so tired of this woke nonsense!’ and the likes. The term ‘woke’, it appears, has broadened far beyond its roots, now used essentially as a snide reference to policies or actions motivated by empathy.
Where things get truly amusing is how the definition of ‘woke’ seems to stretch. Welcome to Country ceremonies, which serve to remind people of the nation’s intricate history, are written off as ‘meaningless woke rituals promoting division.’ An expression of respect towards Indigenous peoples before an event? Deemed ‘woke.’ A business displaying a rainbow flag? Tagged as ‘woke.’ Attempts to support the less privileged? Again, apparently ‘woke.’ Even the recognition that national holidays might stir mixed feelings among citizens – ‘woke.’
These instances highlight a fascinating turn of phrase: supposedly, any attempt to foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive society is now characterized as ‘woke.’ In the midst of this debate, though, a curious development surfaces. Very recently, the right’s veiled intentions have started to become overt. More revealing than ever was when a highly capable black, lesbian fire chief in LA was belittled as a ‘tick-box hiring.’
In another ridiculous effort to caricature any steps towards diversification, even Vice President Kamala Harris was vilified as the ‘token vice president.’ This frequent usage of ‘woke’ as a term of reproof certainly speaks volumes. It appears to be used increasingly as a deft rhetorical tool to cast dispersion on not only ‘wokeness’ but on any agenda promoting empathy and fairness – across racial, gender, and cultural lines.
The ironic part remains that the term ‘woke’ has its roots in a positive desire for vigilance against injustices. However, it appears that in the current socio-political climate, such a call for vigilance is met with derision from conservative corners. But even with all this misplaced discontent, if being ‘woke’ means standing firm for empathy, fairness, and understanding across various societal dimensions, then call it what you will.
The world is afloat in turbulent times and it’s more crucial now than ever that we take a stand. When the strife against ‘wokeness’ takes precedence over actual societal issues, we’re sailing in dangerous waters. It must not be forgotten: if being ‘anti-woke’ means showing patience and understanding to the marginalized of society, then that’s not such a bad thing, is it?
Ultimately, the term ‘woke’ has transformed from a rallying cry against systemic injustices into a word used by conservatives to mock any perceived deviation from traditional viewpoints. Yes, the moral compass of the world seems to have gone awry and many will try to label compassion and empathy as ‘woke’ – a manner of turning the inherently positive characteristics of kindness and tolerance into the butt of a political joke.
The question that remains then, does agreeing to a more tolerant language and actions make a person ‘woke?’ Is advocating for systemic fairness a rebellion against an established order or merely the path to a more just society? When support for equality begins to be portrayed as an attack on established norms, we may as well accept that the word ‘woke’ has been co-opted for a meaning far removed from its origins.
Therefore, it’s high time to change the narrative. If embracing a world vision that seeks equality and empathy is to be ridiculed, then so be it. Being a part of a resilient society requires empathy and understanding, particularly toward the most vulnerable groups. An effort must be made to reclaim the true essence of the word ‘woke’, which embodies the struggle against injustice and the fight for equality.
In the final analysis, if disagreement with this vision labels one as ‘anti-woke’, it speaks volumes about their stance than the so-called ‘wokeness’ itself. We shouldn’t shy away from being ‘woke’ if it represents compassion, fairness, and empathy, aiming toward a more balanced society. As for those who take offence at such an outlook, their problem might not necessarily lie with being ‘anti-woke’, but rather with the absence of basic decency.