It is normal for words to have their publicly known meanings change over time. I mean, we sure aren't using words the same they were used in Old English times.
But the word "woke" has gained many definitions in the last few decades.
The meaning of "woke" gained special attention recently when author Bethany Mandel was at a loss for words when an interviewer asked for the meaning of the word "woke".
Yes, being at a loss for words can happen to even the best of us.
But here's my interpretation of the ever-changing definitions of the word "woke".
The word "woke" was used among African-American activists to symbolize waking up from all the Eurocentric brainwashing imposed on them from the times of slavery.
It is to be woken up from all the brainwashing imposed by an educational system that has long emphasized the achievements of Europeans and their descendants while neglecting the proud history of Africa before and after European colonization.
It is to be woken up from all the brainwashing from racist propaganda that treated Africans as savages while neglecting to mention the intellectual traditions that long existed in sub-Saharan Africa!
It is to be woken up from the brainwashing that disrespected African traditions, African cultural norms, African hairstyles, and African physical features.
It is to be woken up from self-hatred caused by a white supremacist society that tells you that you are inferior!
And while "woke" is a term that originated among African-Americans, many of the same issues have affected other non-European groups who also strive to be wakened up from the Eurocentric brainwashing from the colonialism imposed on them!
If waking up from all this degrading Eurocentric brainwashing is being woke, then I strive to be woke.
However, some people have woken up from one form brainwashing and end up falling for another sort of brainwashing.
It is this new brainwashing that claims
- every white person is a racist, every man is a rapist
- Those of non-European ancestries can't be racist because "racism is about structural power"
- Judging those of non-European ancestries by the content of their character is "racist"
- All policing, even arresting violent criminals, is "racist"
- Anti-Asian and Anti-Jewish hate crimes shall only be taken seriously when committed by those of European ancestry. Using police to stop anti-Asian and anti-Jewish hate crimes committed by African-Americans (or other non-Europeans) is "racist"
- Standardized tests are "racist" and expecting people of all ancestries to reach the same academic standards is "racist"
- Anyone of pure-European ancestry (or who looks that way) who participate in anything related to non-European cultures is guilty of "cultural appropriation" (which is a major sin above all sins)
- Any disagreement with far-left activists of non-European ancestry can only be rooted in racism
It is those who fit the above description that are commonly described as "woke" by right-wing conservatives who once mocked them as "social justice warriors" ("sjw" for short) a decade ago!
But you can't really be woke if you traded one sort of brainwashing for another.
So if you believe that "all white people are racist" and "non-whites can't be racist because racism is about structural power", I don't consider you to be truly woke, you are only Allegedly "woke"! Yes, with the quotation marks around "woke"!
I take this "judge by the content of one character" very literally!
If you have good character, then I can't judge you by the negative actions of those who look like you.
If you have negative character and you don't apologize or make sincere amends, then I'm going to have negative judgments about your character! That you suffered in life doesn't negate any negative judgments towards your negative actions.
If we are all equal, then we are capable of equal good and equal bad.
If you understand that, then you are truly woke.
Now look at this quote from Nelson Mandela, a REAL social justice warrior, a real hero who has waken up South Africa from white supremacy
During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
Now, THAT is woke!
He wasn't about replacing white domination with black domination!
He was about replacing oppression with freedom for all!
He wasn't about hating the white man, he was about hating white supremacy!
He wanted a world where all South Africans can live in harmony!
And the thing is many allegedly "woke" activists on social media today HAVE IT EASY compared to what Nelson Mandela had to deal with while fighting against apartheid!
He was separated from his family for 27 years and lived under harsh conditions while imprisoned, and yet he never gave up hope for a more just society!
When he was finally given a chance to lead his country, he emphasized peace and harmony among all South Africans.
That should be the goal of all activists, of all ancestries, in all places!
--------
Now let's look at this quote from Martin Luther King "I Have a Dream" speech
“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”
Notice that he didn't say "we want to punish all the sons of former slave owners for the sins of ancestors"
Notice that he didn't say "no sons of former slave owners shall ever participate in art forms started by the sons of former slaves"
No, he wanted all the descendants of slaves and slave owners to move beyond past prejudices and learn to treat each other like family!
This is not sugar-coating Martin Luther King, that is the REAL Martin Luther King!
Like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King was the real woke!
Let's all become the real woke!
