Proud to Be Woke: Why I Refuse to Apologise

Woke. Just four letters, but my goodness, haven’t they managed to stir up a storm? Once a term of pride, it’s now become a lightning rod for snide remarks and endless Twitter spats. The word has been hijacked by those who think caring about social justice makes you a humourless, tofu-munching, virtue-signalling busybody. Well, let me tell you, I am proud to be woke. In fact, I wear it like a badge of honour, and if that gets up a few noses, so be it.

Being woke, to me, means being awake. Awake to the world around you, awake to injustice, and awake to the fact that not everyone gets a fair shot. How can that possibly be a bad thing? Do we really want to live in a society where ignorance is celebrated and caring is condemned? Not on my watch. If being woke means standing up for what’s right, then call me woke and make it bold.

Let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t about being perfect. God knows, none of us are. But it’s about trying. Trying to be better, to understand more, and to leave the world a bit fairer than we found it. And let’s be honest, the bar’s pretty low right now. We’ve got politicians who can’t even spell the word equality, never mind legislate for it. We’ve got media outlets treating compassion like it’s a contagious disease. And we’ve got people moaning that diversity quotas are ruining their favourite TV shows. Oh, please.

The thing is, being woke isn’t a new concept. It’s just been given a makeover. Back in the day, it was called decency. You didn’t need to shout about it; you just did the right thing. But now, in a world where outrage sells papers and algorithms reward controversy, simply being decent is seen as some radical act. Well, if caring makes me radical, pass me the placard.

What’s really hilarious—or tragic, depending on your mood—is the way some people use “woke” as an insult. As if being alert to discrimination is a character flaw. These are usually the same people who bang on about how much they love free speech, but heaven forbid someone uses their voice to call out inequality. The irony would be funny if it weren’t so exhausting.

Of course, there are those who argue that wokeness has gone too far. That we’re all tiptoeing around each other, terrified of causing offence. To them, I say this: maybe it’s not about fear, but respect. Respect for other people’s experiences, respect for their identities, and respect for the fact that the world doesn’t revolve around your opinion. And if that makes you uncomfortable, well, maybe that discomfort is worth sitting with for a while.

Here’s the thing about being woke: it’s not a state of being. It’s a process. It’s about learning, unlearning, and relearning. It’s about admitting when you’ve got it wrong and doing better next time. And yes, it’s about speaking out, even when your voice shakes. Especially when your voice shakes. Because staying silent in the face of injustice is not an option.

I know some people will read this and roll their eyes. They’ll call me a bleeding heart or accuse me of jumping on some imaginary bandwagon. But let’s be clear: this isn’t about trends or hashtags. It’s about values. Values like fairness, empathy, and justice. And if you think those are outdated or irrelevant, then maybe it’s you who needs to wake up.

At SMM Media, we live and breathe these values every day. We’re not interested in ticking boxes or playing lip service to inclusion. We’re here to create real, lasting change. Whether it’s amplifying underrepresented voices, challenging discriminatory practices, or celebrating the achievements of marginalised communities, we’re in it for the long haul. And yes, we’re proud to be woke while doing it.

The truth is, being woke is hard work. It’s not about sitting in an echo chamber, patting yourself on the back. It’s about getting out there and doing the work—educating yourself, challenging your biases, and standing up for others, even when it’s inconvenient. And let’s be honest, it is inconvenient. It’s much easier to shrug your shoulders and say, “Not my problem.” But what kind of world does that create? A world where indifference reigns and apathy is king. No thanks.

So yes, I am proud to be woke. I’m proud to care, to listen, to learn, and to act. I’m proud to stand for justice and equity, even when it’s uncomfortable. And I’m proud to call out the nonsense that tries to paint compassion as a weakness. Because if being woke means caring about other people, then frankly, I’d rather be woke than asleep at the wheel.

And to those who still don’t get it, who think wokeness is a dirty word, let me leave you with this: It’s better to be awake to the world’s problems than to sleep through them. Because when history looks back, it won’t remember the people who stayed silent. It will remember those who stood up, spoke out, and tried to make things better. And if that’s what being woke is all about, then count me in.