We Will Always Be Proudly “Woke” — If That Means Being Kind and Loving Humans
By: The Zeitgeist Editorial Team
Screen Capture of Huddie William Ledbetter, famously known as Lead Belly
In a world increasingly polarized by ideology, few words have been as stretched, twisted, and weaponized as “woke.” Once a beacon of awareness and compassion, the term has morphed into a cultural Rorschach test—either a rallying cry for justice or a slur hurled by critics of progress. But here’s the thing: if being “woke” means striving for kindness, empathy, and justice, then count us proudly among the woke.
The Roots of Wokeness
The term "woke" has deep and dignified origins in Black thought. It emerged from the lexicon of African American communities, particularly during the 20th century, as a call to stay alert to systemic injustices like racism, classism, and oppression. Early uses of “woke” appear in protest movements and music, with artists like Lead Belly singing in the 1938 track Scottsboro Boys about the importance of staying “woke” to racial violence.
It wasn’t until the 2010s, during the Black Lives Matter movement, that “woke” entered mainstream awareness. It became shorthand for a critical consciousness about systemic inequality, a term imbued with hope, responsibility, and a commitment to building a better world. To be woke was to care about your neighbor, to see the world’s injustices clearly, and to fight for change. It was, and remains, a beautiful thing.
The Conservative War on Woke
As with any term born of progressive ideals, “woke” didn’t remain untouched by backlash. Enter the conservative “chuds,” critics of social progress who have repurposed the word as a slur. In their hands, “woke” now serves as a catchall for anything that challenges their worldview: diversity in media, discussions of privilege, LGBTQ+ rights, climate activism, and even just plain kindness.
The way the word is used today often borders on the absurd. Whether it’s accusing Disney of being “too woke” for having diverse casting or calling mental health advocacy “woke nonsense,” it’s clear that the term has become a boogeyman for people who fear change. While their overuse of the word can be unintentionally hilarious (seriously, how can a children’s movie be too empathetic?), it also dilutes the term’s original meaning. The right’s co-opting of “woke” as a pejorative undermines its roots in Black activism and social justice, reducing it to a shallow buzzword.
Why We’ll Always Be “Woke”
Let’s get something straight: if being woke means caring about the well-being of others, challenging systems of oppression, and striving to make the world a kinder place, then we are unapologetically woke. Let the critics sneer. Let them turn “woke” into a punchline. Their disdain for compassion only underscores the necessity of staying true to its core values.
The backlash against wokeness says more about its critics than its champions. The fear of empathy, the rejection of accountability, and the discomfort with change all point to a deeper resistance to confronting privilege and injustice. But as funny as the “anti-woke” hysteria can be, it’s also dangerous. By trivializing the word, these critics chip away at its power to inspire and mobilize.
Reclaiming Woke
To those who dismiss woke as an insult: we see you, and we raise you a reminder of what it truly means. Being woke is about seeing clearly in a world designed to obscure the truth. It’s about standing up for the vulnerable and lifting up the marginalized. It’s about loving fiercely, acting courageously, and believing deeply in a better tomorrow.
So, yes, we will always be woke. Proudly. Fiercely. And with a smile that says, “Call it what you want—we’ll keep doing what’s right.”
History has shown us that progress is never easy, and those who fight for change will always face resistance. But as long as there are people who believe in justice, who carry love in their hearts, and who are willing to stay woke in the face of adversity, there is hope for a brighter future.
Stay kind. Stay awake. Stay woke.
-The Zeitgeist