What is WOKE: A Plain Language History and Analysis
The word woke has become a familiar part of political discourse. Once used to describe awareness of social injustice, it is now often used as a negative term, especially by conservative politicians and media figures. In the United States, President Donald Trump and members of his political movement frequently use woke as a tool for attacking movements that promote racial equality, gender rights, climate action, and other social changes.
If you’re like me, you’re probably struggling to understand how something that represents equity and justice could be such a hated concept. Let’s start at the beginning by exploring the history of the word and its actual definition.
The Definition of WOKE
Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines woke as:
"Originally: well-informed, up-to-date. Now chiefly: alert to racial or social discrimination and injustice."
Merriam-Webster defines woke as:
"Aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)."
History of the Term
Origin
The word woke comes from African American Vernacular English (AAVE). It originally meant being aware of social injustices, especially racism. In early usage, to be woke meant to stay alert to signs of racial discrimination and to be ready to act against it.
Early Use
In the 1930s and 1940s, woke appeared in Black communities and popular culture. One early example is in the 1938 song “Scottsboro Boys” by Lead Belly, which advised Black Americans to "stay woke" to racial injustice. Over time, the word was used in speeches, books, and community discussions as a way to encourage vigilance against systemic racism and violence.
Spread
The word became widely known outside Black communities after the 2014 Ferguson protests, following the police shooting of Michael Brown in Missouri. Activists, especially on social media, used stay woke as a rallying cry for awareness and activism against police brutality and systemic racism. News outlets and public figures helped bring the term into mainstream language.
Usage Categories
Original Meaning
At first, woke meant a strong awareness of racial and social injustice. It focused on being alert to systemic racism and discrimination, mainly against Black Americans.
Broader Social Use
As social movements expanded, woke also came to describe awareness of other injustices, such as sexism, homophobia, transphobia, Indigenous rights, and environmental issues. Being woke meant recognizing how systems of power can create inequality across many areas of life.
Pejorative Use
In the late 2010s, some conservative politicians, commentators, and media figures began using woke as a negative label. They used it to describe what they saw as excessive political correctness, virtue signaling, or radical social ideas. In this usage, woke became shorthand for criticizing progressive movements and policies.
What are the Top Topics Often Associated with “Woke”
1. Racial Justice
Belief that systemic racism exists and needs to be addressed through changes in law, education, policing, and business practices.
2. Gender Equality
Support for equal treatment and rights for people of all genders, including efforts to reduce sexism in workplaces, schools, and politics.
3. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Promotion of programs and policies that aim to create fair treatment, equal access, and representation for historically marginalized groups in workplaces, schools, and institutions.
4. 2SLGBTQiA+ Rights
Support for rights and protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other non-heteronormative identities.
5. Climate Action
Belief that climate change is real, caused by human activity, and requires urgent policy changes to reduce harm and promote environmental justice.
6. Indigenous Rights
Recognition of the historic and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous peoples, including calls for land acknowledgments, reparations, and sovereignty.
7. Economic Justice
Efforts to address wealth inequality, promote fair wages, and support stronger protections for workers, including minimum wage increases and union rights.
8. Criminal Justice Reform
Calls to reform policing, reduce mass incarceration, and address racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
9. Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Support for humane immigration policies, protection of refugees, and opposition to xenophobia and anti-immigrant rhetoric.
10. Body Positivity and Disability Rights
Promotion of acceptance for people of all body types and abilities, and support for policies that improve access and reduce discrimination.
11. Educational Reform for Equity
Efforts to make education more inclusive, such as adding curriculum about racism, colonialism, 2SLGBTQiA+ history, and other previously marginalized topics.
Why do people hate the concept of WOKE, are they against social justice?
The modern political right in North America often defines woke as anything related to social justice movements, such as racial equality, 2SLGBTQiA+ rights, gender equality, Indigenous rights, and climate action. Because the right opposes woke ideas, it often ends up opposing the goals of these movements, even if those goals are about basic fairness or rights. There are several reasons why:
Defense of Traditional Social Structures - CHANGE is frightening
Many right-wing groups believe that traditional institutions — like the nuclear family, religious values, and national identity — should not change. Social justice movements often call for changes to these structures, such as expanding marriage rights or acknowledging systemic racism. The right sees these changes as threats.Political Identity - WOKE is a tool
Opposing woke ideas has become part of right-wing identity politics. Leaders use opposition to woke as a way to show they are protecting "common sense" or "traditional values." This helps them unite their supporters against a shared target.Economic Interests - it’s all about CAPITALISM (of course)
Some right-wing groups and donors are tied to industries that can be affected by social justice movements. For example, environmental justice movements may demand regulations that hurt profits for oil companies. Fighting woke ideas protects those economic interests.Reaction to Language and Culture Changes - CHANGE is frightening
Social justice movements often bring new language about identity, pronouns, inclusion, and fairness. Some people on the right view these changes as confusing, unnecessary, or controlling, and react negatively.
Politicians Use "Woke" to Foment Hatred
Language Framing
Politicians frame woke as elitist, disconnected from ordinary people, or a threat to daily life. They claim that woke policies make life harder, cost more money, or are unfair to people who do not agree with them.
Media Amplification
Conservative media repeats these negative messages. News shows, radio hosts, podcasts, and websites amplify the idea that woke is harmful. This repetition normalizes the negative meaning of the word and spreads it to larger audiences.
Policy Justification
Some politicians use the label woke to justify rolling back civil rights protections, cutting education programs, restricting environmental regulations, or opposing immigration reforms. By calling these programs woke, they suggest that dismantling them is necessary or beneficial, even if it takes away protections or services from vulnerable groups.
Why do Politicians want to foment hatred?
Politicians sometimes try to foment hatred because it can be an effective way to gain and hold power. Here are the plain facts:
Emotional Reactions Are Stronger Than Logical Ones
Fear, anger, and resentment are powerful emotions. They often drive people to act — to vote, to donate, or to support a cause — more strongly than reasoned arguments do.Hatred Creates Clear Group Divisions
When politicians encourage hatred against a group or idea, it draws a sharp line between "us" and "them." This helps solidify support among their followers by creating a sense of unity and urgency.It Distracts from Other Issues
Focusing public anger on a target — such as a minority group, a political opponent, or a social movement — can distract people from problems like poverty, healthcare failures, corruption, or economic inequality.It Simplifies Complex Problems
Social, economic, and environmental issues are complex. Blaming a group or an idea for these problems gives people a simple explanation. Politicians can present themselves as protectors against a common enemy rather than as leaders who must solve difficult problems.It Increases Loyalty
When voters feel they are under attack by the groups their leaders criticize, they may become more loyal. They are more likely to excuse the politician’s mistakes because they believe they are fighting a bigger threat.
How do we Counteract the Use of "Woke" as a Tool for Division
When woke is used as a negative term to attack social justice movements, several actions can help counteract its effects:
Public Education
Teaching people how political language is used can reduce the impact of emotional manipulation. Understanding when politicians are trying to create fear or anger makes it easier for voters to think critically.
Media Literacy
Helping people recognize biased reporting, misleading headlines, and emotional appeals in media can reduce the spread of misinformation. Media literacy programs in schools and communities are important tools.
Fact-Checking
Supporting fact-checking organizations and making verified information widely available helps correct false claims. Easy access to accurate information can limit the spread of hatred based on falsehoods.
Community Building
Building stronger local communities where people of different backgrounds work together reduces fear and mistrust. Personal relationships often break down stereotypes and weaken the power of divisive language.
Non-Emotional Messaging
Responding with calm, fact-based communication, rather than anger, helps reduce emotional escalation. Clear, steady messaging can undermine political attempts to stir hatred.
Holding Leaders Accountable
Using elections, legal systems, and public pressure to hold politicians accountable when they spread lies or hatred is important. Voters can demand higher standards for public officials.
Supporting Positive Movements
Backing organizations and campaigns that promote fairness, equality, and justice without relying on divisive language strengthens democracy and weakens efforts to divide communities.
What if I’m not political?
You do not have to be politically active to recognize when language is used to divide people. Staying informed, speaking calmly, supporting fairness in everyday life, and choosing reliable information sources are ways anyone can counteract hatred. Treating others with respect helps create stronger communities, even without engaging directly in political debates.
Resources
The Democratic Socialists of Vancouver Resources Listing
A great platform for WOKE in Vancouver including Land Back and Reconcilliation, Housing Justice, Public Health, Climate Justice, Workers Rights, Immigrant, Refugee and Migrant Workers Rights, Accessibility Justice, Transit, Electoral Reform and more are outlined on Votesocialist.ca
