The Woke
2022 marks the 60th anniversary of the slang term "woke", as its first known use was in 1962 by Black-American novelist William Melvin Kelley. At the time it meant to be aware of the world, and to see through the misinformation and political propaganda that might corrupt your understanding of current events. You would say "Stay woke" to your friends and allies, meaning to stay aware of politics and not give up the struggle.
But lately this term has taken on a less favourable connotation and is used to mock anyone who might identify under it. It describes someone who supports progressive politics, but suggests that they do so in a naive or misinformed way. Choose any progressive social project that you oppose: feminism, BLM, indigenous rights, trans rights, etc. If you believe that these movements go too far in their political correctness then you say that they are "woke", but you mean in it in a sarcastic way.
Is this a new problem, or is this the same argument that humanity has always held between progressives who want the world to change and conservatives who believe those changes are a step too far? Do you believe that wokeism is a serious threat to our society, or is this a minor problem that is being exaggerated for the purpose of fearmongering? Do we need to wake up the woke??
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Is wokeness a new problem, or is this the same argument that humanity has always held between progressives who want the world to change and conservatives who believe those changes are a step too far? Do you believe that wokeism is a serious threat to our society, or is this a minor problem that is being exaggerated for the purpose of fearmongering?
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