Originally intended to mean "alert to civil rights issues" or "takes an enlightened approach to civil rights", its meaning has changed. It is now associated with adopting an obsessive, blinkered or deliberately obtuse approach to certain civil rights, particularly in relation to equality. It refers to an approach which is overall and on balance harmful to society, ignores context and counterpoints, and is ignorant of the wider ramifications of the position taken.
Under the pretense of being politically correct, the "woke" person is, ironically, asleep, in that they are ignorant of or unconcerned by the harms caused by their actions. Such harms may include:
• damage to freedom of expression and freedom of association
• the diminution of comedy, and artistic license in music and film, to the point that it becomes dull
• stifling of conversation
• fear of expressing an alternative opinion or calling out that which is evidently nonsense
• feelings of being browbeaten, helpless and living in a dystopian society
• diversion of societal focus away from more pressing issues affecting society
• the breakdown of language and societal structures
• discrimination and prejudice against others with particular characteristics - typically those who, in a particular location or organisation, are in a majority - under the guise of improving equality and acting on behalf of the minority.
The "woke" person may be acting in their own self-interests to achieve their own ends.
Under the pretense of being politically correct, the "woke" person is, ironically, asleep, in that they are ignorant of or unconcerned by the harms caused by their actions. Such harms may include:
• damage to freedom of expression and freedom of association
• the diminution of comedy, and artistic license in music and film, to the point that it becomes dull
• stifling of conversation
• fear of expressing an alternative opinion or calling out that which is evidently nonsense
• feelings of being browbeaten, helpless and living in a dystopian society
• diversion of societal focus away from more pressing issues affecting society
• the breakdown of language and societal structures
• discrimination and prejudice against others with particular characteristics - typically those who, in a particular location or organisation, are in a majority - under the guise of improving equality and acting on behalf of the minority.
The "woke" person may be acting in their own self-interests to achieve their own ends.
They is only one person, but they has a big effect on everyone around them. They's so woke that they can't function properly in life, it's hard to understand them, and even their friends can't keep track of their pronouns.
He's so woke that he's asleep.
Wokey dokey.
He's so woke that he's asleep.
Wokey dokey.
by peachxylophoneduck December 06, 2023
These days if you're not considered racist enough you get called "woke," which is apparently considered an insult -- at least, the racists think it's insulting. The rest of us, not so much.
by Pale Tiger May 24, 2023
When calling attention to matters of social, racial, economical, or societal injustice has direct impact on a person's privilege.
The conservative christian parent complained that discussion of the impacts of slavery in class was "woke"
by Harvest Corn Dog July 25, 2022
While most of the youth use this term to describe someone who is cool and “dripped out”, I use it in a different sense. Personally, I use it to describe someone who is aware of the world. For example, if someone is knowledgeable on climate change or racial/social issues and is aware that these issues are indeed issues, they would be considered woke.
Jesse Pinkman: Who is more woke: that bitch ass chimpmunk Alvin or Zendaya?
Walter White: Most likely Zendaya. She is a real person and has experienced real discrimination.
Jesse Pinkman: But, Yo! He’s a chipmunk! Wouldn’t he be discriminated against?
Walter White: I don’t know Jesse, let’s get back to work.
Jesse Pinkman: Come on, Mr. White, can we have some fun? You’re like so old dude!
Walter White: Most likely Zendaya. She is a real person and has experienced real discrimination.
Jesse Pinkman: But, Yo! He’s a chipmunk! Wouldn’t he be discriminated against?
Walter White: I don’t know Jesse, let’s get back to work.
Jesse Pinkman: Come on, Mr. White, can we have some fun? You’re like so old dude!
by waterproofcans February 20, 2023
Originally, this word referred to people who were awake about conspiracy theories (at this point, conspiracy facts).
Then, it became a word to refer to SJWs, as the most popular voted definition describes.
Then, it became a word to refer to SJWs, as the most popular voted definition describes.
by megumeat January 25, 2024
A word that’s been made bereft of meaning due to suckers who hate and blame progressive for their own failures in life using it to describe everything since 2012.
Person A: “That Movie’s Woke!”
Person B: “You’ve said that about 500 things this year. Give a criticism with an ounce of substance.”
Person B: “You’ve said that about 500 things this year. Give a criticism with an ounce of substance.”
by Colonel Kakarrot November 24, 2022
Woke is a mashup of political correctness, social justice, and victim culture. It's an ideology that restructures society into a hierarchy of oppressions.
by Cambridge Scholar March 29, 2023