"Woke" beyond words. Actions speak louder than labels

If someone calls you “woke” what do you think? Are you flattered, offended, indifferent, or confused? Do you have a strong opinion on the term, either positive or negative, or no opinion whatsoever? if I claim to be “woke”, what is your immediate perception of me? In a world full of labels, do we ever pause to grasp the true ideology behind the terms we use? Sadly, not often enough.?

As a society, we are full of opinions. There is no getting away from it. This can span from personal opinions to public ones and a wide range of perspectives in between. It’s natural that we aren’t always going to agree on things. And is that necessarily a bad thing? Absolutely not.?

One debate we cannot escape at the moment is the “woke” debate. If you’re not aware, this relates to an ongoing discussion surrounding the concept of being “woke”. Or as some put it “wokeness”. We have everyone from politicians to colleagues, friends, family,?celebrities, and social media users, all weighing in and eager to give their opinion

Whilst the term itself is not a new one, it has gained prominence in recent years and is now part of the mainstream vocabulary. In fact, it was added to the Merriam- Webster dictionary in 2017 due to its increasing usage, and its cultural significance, however, many people are still unsure or misinformed about the meaning of the word. Regrettably, the word is often weaponised and used to undermine and attack anything that challenges the status quo, and unfortunately, these are often things that promote social change. Drawing unnecessary and extreme reactions from those who generally have limited exposure to its core principles, a word that has so much history and power behind it has become all too divisive.?

So what does “woke” really mean, and why do people keep getting it wrong??

Let’s begin with its definition. The dictionary defines “woke” as being ‘Aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues, especially issues of racial and social justice.’ The term originated from African American Vernacular English and then gained prominence in both social and political spaces, in particular, relating to discussions about social justice. It gained mainstream attention following its adoption by the Black Lives Matter movement, becoming a prominent term to describe those that were actively engaged in addressing systemic racism, oppression and social inequalities. Or, those who had “woken up” to injustice.?

So having become a call to action, this led to the phrase “stay woke”, asking people to stay vigilant and engaged in the fight for racial justice. If you are an Erykah Badu fan, you will know she also used the phrase “I stay woke” in her 2008 song ‘Master Teacher’, which further helped popularise the word. In short, it has become a call to encourage people to challenge and question societal norms and oppressive structures, and importantly to be advocates for change. When viewed through this lens, I am sure you agree it goes a lot deeper than just being a trendy term. It’s about human rights.?

However, the evolution of the term and its ubiquitousness is one of the main causes of confusion, and the reason why people misunderstand, or get its purpose wrong. The lack of knowledge and understanding has led to a phenomenon known as "woke-bashing," where people highlight extreme examples, to push back against initiatives aimed at positive change. This distorted perception perpetuates the misinterpretation of what "woke" truly represents.?

The ongoing stereotyping by the media and their portrayal of what a “woke” person is, what they look like or how they act, certainly doesn’t help either. Often “wokeness” is seen negatively, its portrayed as an insult, or dismissed as a passing trend or fad, primarily by those resistant to societal change and accustomed to being dominant in society. This stems from a fear of losing power and influence in an evolving social landscape.?

But being aware of social injustice is a good thing, isn’t it? So why are people arguing that being “woke” is bad?

Firstly, there are likely many reasons why people may be of this opinion that goes beyond the ones I will cover in this article. But critics of “wokeness” often argue that it aligns with “cancel culture” or that it encourages hypersensitivity and therefore leads to a fear of expressing opinions at the risk of being labelled “politically incorrect”. And as with the term “woke”, these too have gained prominence in recent years having been thrust into mainstream dialogue, and also carry the weight of ongoing debate and an overload of opinions. Though in a similar vein, they are certainly not new.?

While extreme cases exist, it's important to note that being "woke" doesn't automatically equate to "cancel culture" or "political correctness." These terms intersect at times, but they are not synonymous. The problem arises when people solely define "woke" based on these extreme cases, misrepresenting its true cause. In reality, the underlying cause is something that the majority would likely support.

Are we perhaps placing too much emphasis on the word "woke" itself, rather than truly grasping its meaning and significance?

Now reading this you will be thinking, “Oh no, more labels to learn”. And trust me, I get it. Label fatigue is real. The use of labels like “woke” can split opinions, both positively and negatively. On the one hand, they can foster a sense of community, an alignment of certain beliefs and values, and promote social awareness. But on the other, they can be limiting and reductive. Oversimplifying something that is crucial for social justice into one small label, can lead to generalisations, stereotypes, and very often misunderstandings. People focusing too much on the label can trivialise and dilute what is an incredibly important movement.?

Me, I am a passionate supporter of “wokeness” and its values. I strive for change, advocate for it, and take action to make it a reality. Do I care whether I am labelled “woke”? Meh… I couldn’t care less. It’s irrelevant to me. Because that’s the point, labels are one thing, but what truly matters is the substance, belief and actions that sit behind the word. In truth, you can label me what you like, but my commitment,?purpose and values to drive meaningful change are going to stay the same.?

What can we learn from this? It's important to avoid jumping to conclusions or stereotyping individuals based on a label or any extreme actions of others associated with that label. Instead, let's approach each person's perspective with nuance and seek a fuller understanding before making judgments. By doing so, we can foster more productive and empathetic conversations.

In the realm of "wokeness," actions speak louder than labels. It's not solely about identities or using the right words. It transcends bandwagoning or seeking validation. The crucial element is taking action—addressing systemic bias, advancing social justice, and fostering a more equitable society for all. These actions should be driven by lasting progress, not fleeting trends.

So now, if I claim to be “woke”, what is your immediate perception of me?