what does woke mean?

The term "woke" has a complex and evolving history, with its meaning varying significantly depending on the context and the perspective of the user.

Original Meaning

The term "woke" originated within the African American community, particularly in the context of racial justice. It was first used in the 1930s, notably by blues singer Lead Belly in his song about the Scottsboro Boys, where he advised people to "stay woke" to be aware of and vigilant against racist violence and systemic injustices24.

Contemporary Meaning in Progressive Contexts

In the 2010s, particularly with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, "woke" gained broader usage to refer to being aware of and actively addressing various social injustices, including racial inequality, sexism, and denial of LGBTQ rights. From this perspective, being "woke" means being informed, educated, and conscious of these issues and supporting policies and cultural changes to address them234.

Conservative and Critical Perspectives

However, the term has also been co-opted and used pejoratively by some conservatives and centrists. In this context, "woke" is often associated with being overly politically correct, policing others' words, and promoting what they see as radical or harmful social and cultural changes. This usage criticizes what is perceived as ideological conformity, performative activism, or superficial support for social justice causes134.

Leftist Critique

Some on the far left also use "woke" negatively, criticizing it as a term that represents corporate or liberal hegemony that pays lip service to social justice but does not lead to meaningful revolutionary change. This view sees "woke" as performative and not genuinely committed to overthrowing systemic inequalities3.

Global and Current Usage

Globally, the term "woke" has become a point of contention, with its meaning and connotations varying widely. While some continue to use it positively to signify awareness and activism around social justice issues, others use it negatively to criticize what they see as excessive political correctness or harmful social reforms4.

In summary, "woke" can mean:

• Being aware of and actively addressing social injustices, particularly racial inequality and other forms of discrimination (progressive context).
• Being overly politically correct or policing others' words (conservative and critical context).
• Representing superficial or performative support for social justice (leftist critique).

The term's meaning is highly dependent on the political and social context in which it is used.