What is woke

Woke is a slang term that originated in the African American Vernacular English (AAVE) dialect, specifically in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement. The term is derived from the African American Vernacular English phrase "stay woke," which means to be aware of and attentive to issues of racial and social justice.

Over time, the term "woke" has evolved to encompass a broader meaning, encompassing awareness of and sensitivity to issues of oppression, inequality, and systemic injustices affecting marginalized communities, including but not limited to racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism.

In this sense, being "woke" means being educated about and alert to the ways in which societal systems and structures perpetuate inequality and disadvantage certain groups of people. It involves being actively engaged in efforts to dismantle these systems and promote greater equality and justice for all.

Some key aspects of being "woke" include:

• Recognizing and acknowledging the historical and ongoing impacts of systemic racism and oppression
• Being aware of one's own privilege and biases, and actively working to overcome them
• Listening to and amplifying the voices and experiences of marginalized communities
• Advocating for policies and practices that promote greater equality and justice

In popular culture, the term "woke" has also taken on a more colloquial meaning, often used humorously or ironically to describe someone who is overly self-righteous or pretentious in their opinions on social justice issues.

If you're interested in learning more about social justice and becoming more "woke," I recommend checking out resources such as:

• The National Museum of African American History and Culture's online exhibitions and resources
• The NAACP's advocacy and education initiatives
• The books "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" by Michelle Alexander and "So You Want to Talk About Race" by Ijeoma Oluo