Woke, Wokeness, Wokism?

The word “woke” and all its derivatives seem to be bandied around these days, and one has to ask what it really means. It is not a word that was commonly used only a few years ago. Does that just make it an “in” word, or does it describe something or someone that just did not occur a decade or more ago?

My 2010 Macquarie Encyclopedia Dictionary defines the word “woke” as the past tense of the word “wake”, but I do not think this definition relates to how the word is used in more recent times. A little online research is obviously in order. From my initial research, it appears that the word first became widely used in the US black community in the 1960s, which did not become common outside of that portion of society until the last ten years or so.

What amazes me the most is the tremendous variety of words that some currently use to define precisely what the above words mean. In no particular order, I now list the words or phrases from my internet browsing that illustrate precisely what I am saying.

• social awareness
• persuasive prejudice
• identity politics
• social justice
• alertness
• awareness
• consciousness
• left leaning
• hyper aware
• progressive

The above list could be easily added to, which would probably not significantly increase one’s understanding of the word and its derivatives.

The right side of politics, particularly in the media, regularly uses the word as an insult, but what exactly do they mean? It would appear, on the surface at least, to infer ideas or actions that are somehow contrary to the thoughts of those presenting the argument or opinion. Does that, in itself, make it “woke”? Is contrary opinion automatically “woke”?

If the word “woke” is indeed described by the above list of words, the following may be more precise in its definition. One could probably define the word and its derivatives when it refers to an individual or group as follows: “a state of being in which the individual or group concerned is fully aware of society as a whole and who believes that people should always think and act respecting all others”.

This definition raises a few questions. Is calling someone or an organisation “woke” a political or social comment? Is it used to define those who disagree with a person’s stand or position? Is it always the other side, regardless of who or what that other side represents? Is it always meant as a disparaging “label”? Does it just define the right or left side of politics? Does it mean the same to both sides of the political aisle?

Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.