Exploring the Meaning of "Woke" and Its Place in Conservative Politics
The term "woke" has become increasingly used in the political discourse over the last few years. While there is still disagreement on the term's precise meaning, the general idea is that being "woke" means being politically conscious and advocating for social justice. It has become trendy among progressives; however, conservatives have increasingly adopted the term in recent years. This article explores the implications of this shift and what it tells us about the current state of conservative politics.
The term "woke" initially arose out of the Black Lives Matter movement, which sought to bring attention to the systemic racism that persists in America today. As the movement gained traction, the term "woke" began to refer to those aware of and actively fighting against injustice. Many people have since adopted this definition across the political spectrum, including conservatives.
While conservatives may be using the term "woke," it is often in a different context than its initial meaning. For many conservatives, "woke" refers to a cultural shift seen as eroding traditional values or resisting progress. This has led to a dynamic in which the term "woke" critiques progressive politics and policies rather than advocating for social justice.
The use of the term "woke" by conservatives is indicative of a shift in their politics. In many ways, this shift mirrors that of progressives in recent years — a move away from traditional values and towards a more progressive outlook. This is particularly evident in how conservatives have embraced specific progressive policies, such as LGBTQ rights and environmentalism.
It's highly evident in their overuse of the word. They tend to label anything that goes against the norm (a black actress playing Ariel in the live-action movie Little Mermaid, for example) as “woke.”
It's almost as if "woke" is another word for the n-word because any time there is anything to do with African Americans in the media, they immediately run to the word. Disney has been under particular scrutiny lately among extreme conservatives.
