The term “woke” has evolved considerably from its original meaning. Traditionally, it means being awake or aware, but in recent years it has taken on a broader, more political meaning.
The term has become particularly controversial in the political arena. Vice President Kamala Harriswho advocates for “staying woke” has been criticized by conservative figures, including former President Donald TrumpAs Harris prepares to take on Trump for president, her past statements about being “woke” have resurfaced, fueling political debate.
According to the Free Speech Center, woke stands for ‘someone who is not aware of social problems, but who then becomes aware of a different view of the world’.
The term can be traced back to a 1938 song about the Scottsboro Boys, nine black teenagers who were wrongly accused of rape in Alabama. Despite clear evidence of their innocence, they were convicted by an all-white jury. According to Human Rights Careers, “woke” originally meant being smart and alert to racism within the black community.
In recent times, particularly during the Black Lives Matter movement, “woke” has regained prominence as a call to acknowledge and combat police brutality and systemic racism. It has since expanded to encompass a variety of progressive political concerns.
However, the term has also acquired negative connotations. Merriam-Webster Dictionary notes that “woke” can imply political liberalism or progressivism that is seen as extreme or unreasonable.
Today, “woke” is often used to describe identity politics, with phrases such as “wokeness,” “wokeism,” or “woke ideology” entering the lexicon.
Conservative politicians, including former President Donald Trump, have rebelled against the “woke ideology” of Americans who fight for diversity, inclusion and equality in the workplace, in public education and in the law.
A 2017 clip of Vice President Kamala Harris saying “everyone needs to be woke” has resurfaced and caused a stir. The clip was also posted on her social media at the time.
Is Vice President Kamala Harris woke?
Kamala Harris made the “woke” statement at a 2017 conference when she was speaking to Senator Laurene Powell Jobs.
The topic touched on immigration and environmental issues. Harris went on to speak out against the Trump administration’s drug and immigration policies and called on Americans to be “woke.”
Harris said during the interview that it was “good for democracy” that people on all sides were engaged in what was going on. She called on Americans to be active and “woke.” She later posted on her social media: “We have to stay active. We have to stay woke.”
This article originally appeared on USATNetwork: What is Woke Culture? Is Kamala Harris Woke?
