“woke”
Last updatedWhat to know
The term “woke” originated as a slang term among Black American communities to describe the idea of waking up to systemic injustices and prejudices, and staying alert to how they manifest in everyday life. Use of the term dates back to as early as the 1930s, but the term by many accounts became popularized via Erykah Badu’s 2008 song “Master Teacher” and then spread into wider awareness via the #staywoke Twitter hashtag in the mid-2010s following the police killings of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown.
Since its recent popularization, use of the term has evolved. First, it was co-opted by brands; now, proponents of the term, often right-wing commentators, have been largely unable to give it a concrete definition, instead using it as a pejorative catch-all to push back against movements for racial justice and other civil rights efforts, as well as “cancel culture.”
In 2022, Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into state law the Individual Freedom Act, commonly known as the Stop WOKE Act, seeking to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in education and workplace trainings and the teaching of concepts such as critical race theory — which DeSantis argues could make individuals “feel they bear ‘personal responsibility’ for historic wrongdoings because of their race, sex or national origin.”
Critics argue the law, like the term “woke,” is intentionally confusing and vague, leading to a chilling effect on free speech and education efforts. Practical effects of the Florida law have included educators having to scrap lesson plans, cancel classes, or bar schoolchildren from libraries until the books can be reviewed by a “certified media specialist.” In November 2022, a judge temporarily blocked the law on First Amendment grounds.
If using the term “woke,” it’s important to keep in mind both its origins in African American vernacular and its current popular use as vague term to discredit viewpoints and efforts that seek to foreground diversity, equity, and inclusivity efforts, such as racial justice movements. A definition of how the term is being used in the specific context is helpful for clarity. If mentioning specific legislation, it’s important to give context around both its intended and actual effects.
Additional resources
- ‘Woke’ and ‘post-truth’ added to Oxford English Dictionary (BBC)
- America’s ‘Great Awokening,’ explained (Deseret News)
- A history of “wokeness” (Vox)
- What does ‘woke’ mean? (Fox News)
Summary
The term “woke” originated as a slang term among Black American communities to describe the idea of waking up to systemic injustices and prejudices, and staying alert to how they manifest in everyday life. Use of the term dates back to as early as the 1930s, but the term by many accounts became popularized via Erykah Badu’s 2008 song “Master Teacher” and then spread into wider awareness via the #staywoke Twitter hashtag in the mid-2010s following the police killings of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. If using the term “woke,” it’s important to keep in mind both its origins in African American vernacular and its current popular use largely on the political right as a pejorative catch-all term pushing back against movements for racial justice and other civil rights efforts, as well as “cancel culture.