Merriam-Webster defines “Woke” as: “Aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).”
While by definition, woke sounds like a good thing in general terms, the word “woke” is mostly used as a negative in attacks on people with views that would often be regarded as “progressive” or “liberal”.
I believe being “woke” is much more far reaching than the dictionary suggests. For me at least, I think woke begins by acknowledging one’s privilege, be it race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, financial security, or societal status. It requires using that privilege and the benefits it provides, to push for change that lifts up those who are less privileged. Let’s be honest; in the 100-metre race of life, some people get to start at the 50-metre mark, while some are held back after the starting gun while the more privileged society that surrounds them repeatedly pushes them down and trips them up.
I know from personal experience that suggesting a person has privilege, be it white, wealth, gender or other advantages, raises the hackles of some who believe that they deserve all that they have accumulated and that by extension those who have less or have nothing at all, also get what they deserve. To be sure, I worked hard for what I have and invested dozens of years and buckets of blood, sweat and tears into becoming a successful and comfortable business owner. And while this tough path to comfort and security holds true for many people I know, there is no doubt that good luck, choosing your parents wisely and the time and place of one’s birth can play a significant role.
Thinking of my own children and grandchildren, born into stable and comfortable homes, compared to those born into poverty or abuse; while they all are born with great and equal potential, there is no doubt who will have the most opportunities to “succeed” in our society.
“Wokeness” is not a new phenomenon. I am sure that had the term been around, it would have been used like a club on those who spoke out against slavery or for the rights for women, First Nations and people of colour to vote; for anti-discrimination and anti-segregation laws; for an end to residential schools and accommodation for the disabled.
But woke even seems to be a label sometimes slapped on those of us who believe the science and expert opinions on things like climate change, pandemics and vaccines. Take former republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis who proudly exclaims that “Florida is where woke goes to die”. While going to Florida to die may be common, it is a place where book bans, limits on a woman’s right to choose, climate denial, anti-vax and gun culture thrive.
I am not a Christian nor do I subscribe to any religion, but someone who believed, “love your enemies”, “turn the other cheek”, “judge not others”, “let he who is without sin….”. would likely come across as pretty darned woke in today’s world. My personal moral compass is the golden rule. Not the dominant one where “he who has the gold makes the rules”, but that other one. Treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself (if you were poor, ill, homeless, hungry, trans, gay, non-white, Jewish, Muslim, Christian etc.)
For someone like me, who self describes as a “former conservative”, I would say that I am far from fully woke, but if it means supporting a change in myself and society to become more tolerant and accepting; more open to understanding and appreciating the differences in humanity; more respectful of the planet and the natural systems that support us; and more trusting of overwhelming scientific consensus; then I am more than happy to stumble down this rough and winding road to wokeness. I know that in all likelihood it will continue to be a journey for most of us, toward a destination we may never reach.
But I do think we would be happier if we were all walking shoulder to shoulder down this sometimes-bewildering road of wokeness; not judging or hating those who are less fortunate, or “different” from us or from what we have learned to regard as “normal”.
So, if you wish to be one of those who look with distain on folks with “radical” progressive views that uplift and empower people who are least served in our society and you want to pin the label “woke” on people like me; well, I guess I will consider that a compliment. Thanks!
David Slade
Cobble Hill
