What is woke Meaning and Definition
What is woke
Pronunciation
/ˈwəʊk/
Part of Speech
Noun or adjective
Definition
A slang term that refers to being aware, sensitive, and informed about social justice issues, such as racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. It also implies being actively involved in promoting equality and challenging unjust systems.
Examples
- The woke movement inspired the artist to create a powerful piece of art about social justice.
- He’s not woke to the fact that his joke was hurtful to many people.
Synonyms
- Progressive
- Enlightened
- Socially aware
Antonyms
- Ignorant
- Insensitive
- Prejudiced
Etymology
The exact origin of the term is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the 1970s in African American Vernacular English. It is thought to be derived from the idea of waking up or becoming aware of social injustices.
Additional Information
What is woke has become a cultural phenomenon, with people using the term to describe themselves or others who are actively working to challenge oppressive systems. However, the term has also been criticized for being reductionist and oversimplifying complex issues. Some argue that it creates a binary distinction between being woke and not being woke, which can lead to infighting and divisions within social justice movements.
Despite this, what is woke remains a powerful tool for promoting awareness and action on social justice issues. It has inspired many people to become more informed and involved in creating a more just and equitable world.
However, it’s also essential to acknowledge that what is woke can be subjective and dependent on individual perspectives and experiences. What may be considered woke by one person may not be the same for another.
Usage Notes
The term can be used to describe an individual, a group, or a movement that is working towards social justice. For example, “The social justice movement is trying to raise awareness about climate change, but some critics say they’re not woke enough to address the root causes of the issue.”
Cultural References
- The term has been referenced in several TV shows and movies, including “The Office,” “Atlanta,” and “The Matrix” trilogy.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Going woke” or “staying woke” are common idiomatic expressions used to describe becoming or remaining aware of social justice issues.
“Being woke” is often used interchangeably with being “socially aware.”
Related Words or Phrases
Words or phrases closely related to what is woke include:
- Tony thatcher
- Hashtag
- Affirmation
- Social justice
- Racial equality
Collocations
Common word combinations with what is woke include:
- The woke movement
- Staying woke
Frequency of Use
The term what is woke has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly among younger generations. According to the Oxford English Corpus, the term has seen a significant increase in usage since 2015, with a 345% rise in the number of times it’s used in writing and speech.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of the term what is woke include “whatevs,” “what is awk,” or simply “woke.”