- Ken Hurley
The Wōkies are on the hunt. Armed with Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, cleverly worded T-shirts, rallies, and an occasional letter to the editor. All strategically used to maximize the number of kills in an effort to enact meaningful social change. Or, rather, at least look like concerned caring citizens on social media for all friends to see and give a thumbs up emoji. Time for Ben and Jerry to sip a Bud Light. Or not.
Thanks to the Wōkies, Aunt Jemima is no longer on the pancake box. Uncle Ben is off the Converted Rice box. “Rastus” is off the Cream of Wheat box. Mrs. Butterworth got her body reshaped. NASCAR has banned the Confederate flag. Many statues honoring Confederate soldiers have been removed from public parks which nearly caused "pigeon riots" in 2021. In Boston's Park Square, even a statue of Abraham Lincoln with a formerly enslaved man has been removed and put into storage. And, according to the Gray Lady, hundreds of influential men lost their jobs where nearly half their replacements are women.
Being "woke" refers to an increased awareness of social, cultural, and political issues that are often overlooked or dismissed by the general public. It is seen as an effort to bring marginalized voices to the forefront of conversations and promote social justice.
The “woke” concept began as a way for black people to reassure one another relative for the need to stay vigilant regarding socio-political awareness as a means of survival. However, wokeness has been co-opted by others for political gains, monetary gains, and self-aggrandizement. In the beginning, the phrase used was “stay woke.” Which emphasized the need to dismantle oppressive societal structures by using a colloquial word, woke. Like awake, only wōkier.
An advantage to being "woke" is the effort to promote a more inclusive and equitable society. Woke individuals advocate on behalf of those who are most vulnerable and oppressed by bringing attention to issues such as systemic racism, gender inequality, LGBTQ+ rights, pancake syrup, and more. This kind of advocacy and activism can result in societal changes, as seen through movements such as Black Lives Matter and Me Too.
The concept of being "woke" can sometimes be taken too far, resulting in a tendency towards "cancel culture." Cancel culture refers to the practice of boycotting or ostracizing individuals or organizations who are deemed by the Wōkies to be problematic or controversial. While boycotts and ostracization can be an effective way to hold those in power accountable, it can also create an environment of intolerance, where people are afraid to speak up for fear of unwittingly joining the "cancel culture."
Being too woke can lead to the stifling of different perspectives and ideas. Taking pride in demonstrating the aspects of wokeness critical of others can also lead to a polarizing loss of friendships. A surplus of wokeness can hinder honest debate and progress. Is it possible that one day the Wōkies will cancel themselves?
The hysteria of fanaticism reigns an unpleasant solution to the woeful aspects of wokeness and its foes as it relates to societal improvements.
Conservatives now, incorrectly, use woke as a catch all term for anything they don't like. Governor Ron DeSantis is known as anti-woke and has successfully placed himself at the center of debates surrounding the concept of being woke. In 2022, his Florida legislature passed the Individual Freedom Act, commonly known as the Stop W.O.K.E. Act (Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees). This law regulates the content of instruction and training in schools and workplaces. Just because DeSantis is not woke doesn't mean he's a dope. In March 2021, DeSantis signed an executive order which banned teaching critical race theory in public schools. He claims CRT is "divisive" and "teaches kids to hate our country and to hate each other." Last time I checked, DeSantis is not an educated educator. He's educated. Yale and Harvard, yes. But he is not an educator. He knows not of what he speaks regarding public school education. Of course, the Stop WOKE Act is being challenged in court as an unconstitutional government content-based censorship law, which severely restricts learning and talking about issues related to race and gender.
While DeSantis argues that he is protecting American values and promoting a unified society, he is not doing either. Critics argue that his ban on CRT is a way of silencing important conversations about race and systemic inequality. By ignoring the complex and pervasive issues that face minority communities, DeSantis perpetuates a culture of ignorance and complacency. Amazingly, ignorance and complacency are two significant pillars of his political aspirations that appeal to his troupe of partisan supporters.
Being "woke" can be a powerful tool for promoting social justice and fighting against inequality. However, it is important to strike a balance between advocacy and tolerance to avoid the pitfalls of cancel culture while still holding those in power accountable. It is more important than ever to continue to promote inclusivity and awareness in all aspects of our lives especially with leaders like Ron DeSantis rallying against the concept of being woke.
So how do we strike a balance?
Striking a balance between advocacy and tolerance requires a commitment to empathy, open-mindedness, and a willingness to engage in respectful civil discourse. While it is important to advocate for social justice and challenge systems of oppression, we must also make an effort to be tolerant and understanding of different perspectives, even when they may be at odds with our own. However, it is likely impossible to expect anyone to engage in respectful, empathetic, civil discourse, when the oppressor is intent on killing you. Woke or asleep, violence breeds violence.
We know the allegorical perpetual pendulum swings one way today and the other way tomorrow. It seems for all sides on most issues, the perpetual pendulum never has just the right sway.
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