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I like to think of myself as a socially conscious being. As a white, middle-aged, cis-gender woman who is culturally Jewish with an interfaith flavor, a second-generation middle-class professional American with an advanced degree, I have the luxury of looking at the world through lenses different than those whose skin is a few shades darker, those who hails from another country, and those whose financial situation is dire. I need not fear for my safety or worry about if, at a traffic stop, I will be unfairly treated. I didn’t need to educate my white son what to do if the same thing happened to him.
I am an upstander by genetics and environment, it seems, since my parents taught me to speak out for those who can’t find voice themselves. As a result, I became a social worker and a strong advocate for peace and social justice causes. Whenever there is a vigil or rally in my community, I do my best to be there in support. I bring my FREE Hugs sign and open arms. As daunting as it is to wade through the muck and mire of the current state of the world, that heart to heart connection is part of what gets me through.
Yesterday was such a day, as I found myself meandering through my little town of Doylestown, Pennsylvania as part of our annual Arts Festival. The streets were filled with people from all over the world who come to the place known as the home of Oscar Hammerstein, James Michener, Pearl Buck, and Pink (a.k.a. Alecia Moore). In the five hours I was there, I estimate that I hugged at least 100 people. Over the years, people have suggested that I get a clicker to keep track.
One of the events within the event was a student die-in, during which local high school students lay on the sidewalk in front of the courthouse as a wake-up call about the need for responsible gun legislation. I began to cry when I heard a young woman share what it was like when there were active shooter drills in her school. How traumatizing it must be for these young people to imagine the what ifs, even if it never occurs. Equally troubling is the question, what if it becomes their new norm such that it doesn’t even faze them anymore? I admire the courage it takes for these kiddos to speak out boldly. I can’t conceive of what it is like to walk through metal detectors to enter an environment that is supposed to be conducive to learning.
Shortly afterward, I help to ‘woman’ the table for a local organization called Rise Up Doylestown. The organizers state:
Rise Up Doylestown is a nonpartisan grassroots collective for social justice, racial justice, reproductive justice, and environmental justice organizing and activism in and around Doylestown, Pennsylvania. We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families – recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.
One of our roles was to encourage people to register to vote in the upcoming elections in November. Most gave us the thumbs up and assured us that they were already registered. A couple who were with their young children indicated that it was important to do it for them and their future. I couldn’t agree more. We were also there to educate, to make literature, buttons and bumper stickers available. In the two hours that I was there, we had no naysayers stop by, no one objecting to the progressive messages. Hate Has No Home Here signs and bumper stickers were side by side with Black Lives Matter pins, info on immigrant rights and Islamophobia.
I am guessing this gives me some ‘woke’ cred. I question whether it is an act of cultural appropriation for me to claim this role or if it is simply a measure of respect for those who I offer support. I would like to think it is the latter.
This word has become part of the vernacular in the past few years in the wake of such extreme social injustice, especially toward POC. #BlackLivesMatter movement brought the word to the forefront.
I asked people I know what being woke means to them. Here are some of the responses:
- “When I hear the term woke, I think aware. It means they were sleeping before and now are aware or more focused.”
- “Seeing as plainly as possible the reality of the society in which we live—from not only our own perspective but also from the perspective of others, especially those oppressed by the society in which we live. In short: empathy with others, compassion for others, respect for others.”
- “What has been covered will be uncovered… that which was covered was always truth…. but to awaken to that truth… means we start to realize it….and there are various degrees of that awakening…. To many only see what they want to see, to comfort themselves… willing to tell their brothers and sisters, that they have a beam in their eye, not realizing that they have a mote in their own eye…”
- “’Woke’ or awake to me means living in the present and in the moment. It means accepting myself, and my surroundings and living from that state of loving acceptance. ‘Woke’ means we are aware we are never alone because we are part of everything and everything is part of us. We are all connected and walking each other home. There are no mistakes, just misunderstandings and unawakened perceptions or misguided expectations. “Woke” means I know exactly who and when I am and I live as such every day to the best of my abilities so as to be an example, a beacon, a ray of sunshine and a loving companion to all those who walk this journey with me.”
- “It’s so associated with the Black Lives Matters movement that is it a little cringy when non-Black people use it? Maybe…”
- “To be ‘woke’ means several things to me. First material things are just that material things and they do not matter. Second, once you see things for what they really are you cannot turn a blind eye to injustices anymore it becomes important and fully possible to stand up against it without fear. Third, fear is just a state of being and it holds no strength against you unless you let it. Finally, it means that all things have a purpose and a place and that being aware of their place as well as yours creates a balance.”
- “It’s slang now. It means several different things depending on which cultural group you’re talking to. So like the word “god” I only use it with quotes because it’s become conceptual which means it means something different to everybody so you have no idea if they’re going to understand you or not.”
- “Conscious Awareness.”
- “If I had to define it I’d probably say, ‘awake to sociopolitical realities beyond the surface,’ but I think in most cases it would be inappropriate or, rather, culturally appropriative of me to use it as a white person.”
- “It’s a buzzword. If you gotta tell everyone how woke you is, you ain’t.”
- “Constant awareness of the gamification of society.”
Once you are ‘woke’, you don’t have the luxury of going back to sleep.
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Photo credit: Flickr
This was the fifth Minneapolis protest over police brutality in two weeks. The protests are in response to unarmed people of color being killed by law enforcement in the United States such as Eric Garner who was wrestled to the sidewalk and held in a choke hold until he was dead. Last week it was announced the police would not be indicted on any criminal charges.