Our current political climate leads to many ideas and words to be twisted and
mischaracterized by both left and right leaning voices. This is especially true with the word,
“woke” which has been misused often in political discourse. There is immense value in
understanding the true origin of the word “woke” and making strides to understand woke
culture to enhance our critical thinking skills.
My definition of "woke culture" has not changed. I listen to a lot of political commentary
which I believe has helped me gain a well-rounded understanding of the word. Woke culture is
defined differently depending on which political party you subscribe to. Many on the left believe
that to be woke means to be informed and aware of social injustice. However, many on the right
believe that to be woke means to police other’s words and be politically correct.
Woke means awareness of inequalities in society, but to the right's credit many times
they use the word correctly, especially when the left goes too far. I agree with Donald Trump
when he says that he does not like the word because “half the people can’t even define it”
which was a reference to the right's often misuse of the word. Perhaps it is not the most
mindful choice to use a word which can be so easily ill-defined. The benefits of woke culture are
that many marginalized groups are more likely to be advocated for and injustices are in many
cases brought to the attention of the general public. However, woke culture can go too far when
it begins to silence those with opposing views or value "equality" over objective abilities when it
comes to roles that require standards for performance. Both the right and the left can go too far
when they place more emphasis on feelings than facts. The right must be careful not to use the
word to mean anything liberal that they don't like. Understanding woke culture can help one
become a critical thinker because one must challenge their own political biases when rethinking
mischaracterized by both left and right leaning voices. This is especially true with the word,
“woke” which has been misused often in political discourse. There is immense value in
understanding the true origin of the word “woke” and making strides to understand woke
culture to enhance our critical thinking skills.
My definition of "woke culture" has not changed. I listen to a lot of political commentary
which I believe has helped me gain a well-rounded understanding of the word. Woke culture is
defined differently depending on which political party you subscribe to. Many on the left believe
that to be woke means to be informed and aware of social injustice. However, many on the right
believe that to be woke means to police other’s words and be politically correct.
Woke means awareness of inequalities in society, but to the right's credit many times
they use the word correctly, especially when the left goes too far. I agree with Donald Trump
when he says that he does not like the word because “half the people can’t even define it”
which was a reference to the right's often misuse of the word. Perhaps it is not the most
mindful choice to use a word which can be so easily ill-defined. The benefits of woke culture are
that many marginalized groups are more likely to be advocated for and injustices are in many
cases brought to the attention of the general public. However, woke culture can go too far when
it begins to silence those with opposing views or value "equality" over objective abilities when it
comes to roles that require standards for performance. Both the right and the left can go too far
when they place more emphasis on feelings than facts. The right must be careful not to use the
word to mean anything liberal that they don't like. Understanding woke culture can help one
become a critical thinker because one must challenge their own political biases when rethinking
