Julie Burchill: "Why I loathe the woke"

[beastlyslumber]

Just thought I'd share this piece of joy for anyone else who is fond of Ms Burchill...

[Clymene]

@HazelCarbyFan

There’s been nearly a dozen threads where people agree that just seeing pronouns in signatures is upsetting to them. And who am I to argue with them if that’s how they feel? I stay out of those threads. So do me the respect that seeing the term “woke” used disparagingly all over this board constantly is also upsetting and is a political dog whistle based in racism. It should never bring joy when people use racially charged terms. It’s been constant on this board and it is a slur against Black people.

No, it isn't. In11 years, the term has moved on. Like many American words, it has a totally different meaning in the U.K.

[ChimamandaFangirl]

The term woke came out of black discourse, and yeah, it was appropriated by white liberals who keep doing shit like this to try and gain social status over other white people.

The fact that it's now made the journey all the way to something used to mock the privileged trying to bully others into compliance is a damn shame, but that toothpaste isn't going back in the tube now.

[JayAlfredPrufrock]

‘Woke’ is owned by black people?

You is avin a laugh.

[lightand]

Or read an old dictionary.
Or remember what some words meant from your childhood.

[lightand]

I agree with Hazel and Classica. The label is divisive because its original, still valid, meaning has been hijacked

Once a term has moved on from it's original, it cant be brought back, can it.
Language evolves.
You only have to look at old maps, or speak to a linguist.

[NecessaryScene]

Please stop using this term in this way.

you don't get to insist that no one talks about your political project and it's weak and pathetic that you think you do

freddiedeboer.substack.com/p/please-just-fucking-tell-me-what

[HazelCarbyFan]

There’s been nearly a dozen threads where people agree that just seeing pronouns in signatures is upsetting to them. And who am I to argue with them if that’s how they feel? I stay out of those threads. So do me the respect that seeing the term “woke” used disparagingly all over this board constantly is also upsetting and is a political dog whistle based in racism. It should never bring joy when people use racially charged terms. It’s been constant on this board and it is a slur against Black people.

[TheAntiGardener]

I agree with Hazel and Classica. The label is divisive because its original, still valid, meaning has been hijacked. It is also used equally by those who are specifically critiquing the new cancel culture Puritanism and those who dismiss any kind of recognition of power imbalance in society because it suits them. It’s tempting to use it because it’s a highly recognisable shorthand, but these factors mean it’s off limits for me.

[Justme56]

Thanks OP I look forward to listening.

[Whataday198]

"I loathe the Woke" does have a very distinctive Richard Littlejohn air to it.

[Clymene]

Or you could just engage with the content

[TooBigForMyBoots]

It's the new 'p.c gone mad'.

Yep.

[Classica]

I agree with @HazelCarbyFan.

Using 'woke' as a dismissive umbrella term for multiple issues just means people have an excuse not to engage with any of them. Oh I don't like x, y and z 'cos they're woke.

It's the new 'p.c gone mad'.

[BlameItOnTheBlackStar]

OP apparently you need to now become the defender of the term woke, despite not actually using it yourself.

[HazelCarbyFan]

Woke is a term created by Black people to describe the awakening of racial consciousness. The way “woke” is used as a sneer at political activism is quite dismissive of the realities of state violence and oppression against Black people and the need for Black people to organize against it.

Do you really need to appropriate the language Black people developed to speak about our political realities to dismiss and smear people? Why do you think it is this term in particular has been taken on to mean “extreme, unreasonable activism”? Can you give an explanation other than a broad attempt to diminish Black people’s fight against police violence and systemic racism?

Please stop using this term in this way.