“Woke”

[DrinkingMyWaterMindingMyBiz]

Sorry, this is a rant, so if you’re trying to keep yourself in a positive mindset or good space today, skip this thread.

I’m sure I can’t be the only one tired of the overuse of this word. I know it’s been co-opted (and misused) outside of the black community for a few years now, but in all honesty I do live in a bit of an echo chamber in real life so don’t have to hear people use it for any and everything all that often. But I’ve returned to MN after a break of a good few years recently to try and get myself out of said echo chamber a bit, and am honestly so sick and tired of seeing people describe (or worse, complain about) everything remotely liberal as “woke”.

I was going to post this on AIBU because my “racist radar” dings excessively whenever I see the term thrown about willy nilly, but decided against it as I can’t be arsed to explain the nuances and history of the word to WW who are adamant it’s “just a word”, so I thought I’d share my rant here instead. Am I being over dramatic here?

@DrinkingMyWaterMindingMyBiz I just looked at that thread and who knew that black people "appropriated" the term Karen? That's quite enough MN for today!

@PinotGroggio 😄 I nearly choked. And apparently it only started being used by black people in 2020 (coincidentally the year the world seemed to realise black people existed…)

That's because many don't even listen until the evidence of injustices is recorded and played back, statues are torn down and they're forced to listen. BLM was in the UK as a movement years earlier. I'm trying not to say too much as it's a huge subject of its own!

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/sep/06/black-lives-matter-protesters-occupy-london-city-airport-runway

"woke" originated in the indigo child movement in the 1970s, it was a sub branch of the new age stuff

It's very annoying when people misappropriate and bastardize words.

Woke, as it is understood in this thread, is a appropriation of a word that originally had a different meaning. It had nothing to do with any kind of injustice originally

"Woke" as used by African Americans before the Civil Rights Era, and seeped its way into the current mainstream, has always been used to mean to be aware/"open one's eyes" to recognise social justice and injustices.

This is the "woke" that is being misappropriated and bastardised

The definition we're talking about is derived from that original meaning, which predates the US civil rights era and refers to literally being woke. The meaning we're talking about is a metaphorical version of the original meaning. It wouldn't have any meaning without that original meaning

I think it would be helpful to provide the definition that you're talking about and using to add context to your post and for me to understand and what you're referring to

The poster you’re responding to is just a classic case of someone invading for attention. They think it’s appropriate to reduce other peoples trauma to word play, so they can wiggle in their little chair and feel clever.

Oh I see- thanks. I wasn't sure but was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt in case they were from another culture genuinely unfamiliar with the term and history.

No, not over dramatic at all. It makes me wince now.

It's just factual. Woke, example "I just woke up 5 minutes ago". The word has been borrowed, and had its meaning changed. Language is an art, people play with it and change its meaning to express themselves. It happens in the written and verbal form. It's also normal for a group of people to do this, and another group of people not to like it.

I can understand being annoyed, upset even but if that counts as trauma, then you live a very privileged life and I can't take you seriously

@spookehtooth It’s funny but I don’t consider it borrowed seeing as how English was beaten into my ancestors for greed.

To your point yes we know what it means and yes we all understand language development as a concept. This does not make it any less harmful or frustrating so what in what way is what you’ve said helpful? It’s like whispering meaningless, platitudes to a child. “Yes you’re being silenced, but try to understand, this is normal. Accept it and shut up.” It’s the racial version of mansplaining.

@spookehtooth can I just ask, are you a black Mumsnetter?

My apologies if you are, but if not can you please read the disclaimer on this space?

I don't deserve respect, speak to me as you please, but I must give it always? I can't subscribe to that interpretation, however I'll stop commenting as I don't want to be a distraction

What are you talking about?

A word salad way of saying the poster isn't black.

@Reugny the lunacy of this forum at time 🙄😄

Woke is a stolen word/definition or perhaps one might say a misappropriated word/definition...it's 'slang' term will never lose it's meaning. As black people we have heard and possibly used this word in its appropriate context...so as much as I hear it used incorrectly...It will never lose it's true meaning culturally...that's all that matters tbh

@MistressoftheYoniverse that’s very true. I need to learn to let these things go!

Just seen that Esther McVey has been appointed as ‘minister for common sense’ with the goal to tackle “wokery”. I thought it was a parody account when I first saw it on Twitter, but a little Google told me it’s very real.

And so it begins… (or continues!)

Minister for Common Sense!!! 🤦🏾‍♀️

@PinotGroggio my exact reaction. Have they just made that role up today? Because I’m 99.9% certain that I’ve never heard of a “minister for common sense” before…

But, truly what are they planning to do with this woman? Patel and Braverman allowed them to pursue their racist policies by providing a minority to spearhead it. She won’t be as successful at that. Maybe we’re getting a break and they’re about to start on the working-class.