A version of the term was first used by Pan-African activist Marcus Garvey as early as 1923. It was later popularized by Blues artists such as Lead Belly, who used it when singing about the Scottsboro Boys, a group of nine Black teenagers who were falsely accused of raping 2 white women on a train in northeast Alabama in 1931.
"A political slang adjective derived from African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) originally meaning alertness to racial prejudice and discrimination. Beginning in the 2010s, it came to encompass a broader awareness of social inequalities such as racial injustice, sexism, and denial of LGBT rights."
1)
the belief there are systemic injustices in American society and the need to address them
2)
an across-the-board denunciation of progressive values and liberal initiatives; self-righteous leftist
3)
a state of being aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues especially of racial and social injustice
4)
word used to describe ‘consciousness’ and being aware of the truth behind things ‘the man’ doesn't want you to know i.e., classism, racism, and any other social injustices
5)
arising from a stupor/slumber with regard to societal awareness (i.e. getting head out of the sand and opening your eyes)
6)
putting merit and achievement behind identity politics
7)
sees oppressor-oppressed dynamics everywhere, and judges virtually everything through that lens; takes a moralizing, activist stance that splits people into being either good or bad
8)
ideology that believes American society is fundamentally oppressive on the basis of race and identity
9)
aware of the systematic injustices that marginalized groups have faced and to be concerned about inequality and lack of fairness across many domains of identity and class
What Are the Origins of the Term 'Stay Woke'?
A conservative case for why the church should lead the way in being ‘woke’
The Pros and Cons of 'Wokeness'
According to Paul Wolfe, there are both pros and cons for businesses who embrace the ideals sometimes labeled as "woke."
Pros:
- Greater awareness of social injustices. Being "woke" can boost awareness of social injustices and their impact on individuals and communities. This can lead to more empathetic and compassionate workplace cultures and a greater appreciation of different perspectives and experiences.
- Improved DE&I. A "woke" approach can result in more inclusive workplaces where individuals feel valued and included regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation or other identity markers. Committing to DE&I can create a diverse workforce and improve collaboration and innovation.
- Enhanced social responsibility. Being "woke" can promote a sense of social responsibility and a commitment to creating positive social and environmental change. This gives way to increased community engagement and positive brand reputation, which can benefit companies' bottom line.
Cons:
- Polarization and divisiveness. Being "woke" can lead to polarization and divisiveness, particularly if employees have different views on social justice issues. This can create tension and conflict in the workplace, which can be detrimental to productivity and morale, especially during an election year, when stress is already high among employees with opposing viewpoints.
- Perceived tokenism. DE&I initiatives may be viewed as tokenistic or performative rather than genuine efforts to promote equity and inclusion. Programs perceived as disingenuous can compromise employee trust and credibility. It can also undermine the effectiveness of such initiatives.
- Over-reliance on buzzwords. In some cases, the terminology associated with "wokeness" can be overused or misused, leading to confusion and misunderstanding and contributing to a sense of "us versus them," which can create a hostile or unwelcoming workplace culture.