What is “Woke”? The Definition and Its Impact on the United States
It seems like an easy question to answer, yet the term “woke” has been a source of confusion and debate for some time now. A new USA TODAY/Ipsos Poll released Wednesday found that 56% of Americans said woke means “to be informed, educated on, and aware of social injustices”. Definition seekers have also wanted answers; on Feb. 16, they'd pushed ‘woke’ to the top of Merriam-Webster's most searched terms list. (The dictionary defines it as “aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially those related to racial and social justice).”)
But what exactly does the term “woke” mean? To better understand this, it is necessary to look at the term’s history and how it has been used in recent times.
The term “woke” originated in the Black American community and was used as a call to consciousness in the 1960s. It was a reminder to stay aware and to resist oppression. In the years that followed, the term has been used by activists to call attention to issues of racial and social injustice.
In recent years, the term “woke” has become popularized in mainstream culture. It has been used to describe a person who is aware of and actively attentive to issues related to social justice. It has become a term that is used to express support for progressive causes, such as the Black Lives Matter movement.
The term has also been used extensively in politics. During the 2020 presidential election, it was used as a rallying cry by supporters of Democratic candidate Joe Biden. The hashtag #StayWoke was used to encourage people to stay informed and politically engaged.
The term has also been used by Republicans to criticize their opponents. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently called out his Democratic opponents for being “woke.” He accused them of being too progressive and of pushing an agenda that he disagrees with.
Co-author of 'Stay Woke,' Tehama Lopez Bunyasi, breaks down how 'woke' began and how it is being used in the run-up to 2024 elections. Claire Gastañaga, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, said it’s important to remember that “woke” is about more than just politics.
"It's about recognizing the unjust systems that have been in place for centuries and the need for systemic change," Gastañaga said.
The term has also been used to refer to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Woke AI usually refers to an AI perceived to be limiting its responses to reflect the left-leaning agenda of its creator. It's a term adopted by tech companies to describe AI algorithms that are intended to be more socially and politically aware.
As the term “woke” continues to be used in popular culture, it is important to remember its origins and what it stands for. The term has been used by both sides of the political spectrum, but it is important to remember that it is rooted in the struggle for social justice and in the fight against oppression.
