Who says lightning doesn’t strike twice in one place?
My last column drew a response from a reader who was nice enough to write a long letter informing me of that writer’s belief that I am woke. Then one of my conservative friends who was exercised about some of my opinions told me that — yes, believe it or not — I am woke.
Can you imagine that — twice in one week? Well, to both of them I say thank you. I can only wish that we were all woke. Allow me to explain.
In today’s America, some news media, bloggers, radio and television shows and other right-wing opinion generators have turned the word woke into something of a negative. Like calling others who are different from us names, or racial slurs, or sexual slurs. Or those afflicted with learning disabilities as dummies. Or calling someone who cares about others as woke, or … you get the point.
When I was growing up, I was the object of some of these prejudices based on my heritage. Today I have a daughter who suffers not-so-hidden prejudices because she is disabled. It just seems like those weaker than others, or different from others, or who make decisions that go against the crowd, all become easy pickings. And that’s just wrong.
Let me be clear. I was battered as a child. No particular reason for the mistreatment. Maybe because I just existed. It wasn’t until after high school that I realized that it was not my fault, that I did not cause the mistreatment, and I woke.
More recently the term woke has gained significant traction in public discussions. It has ignited passionate debates across various platforms. I’m not sure why. The woke concept is just a movement that promotes — ready for this? — awareness of social injustice, systemic discrimination, marginalization and mistreatment of others.
Who among us should not be proud of being woke? And who among us should want to continue social injustice, discrimination and pushing people down for no reason, other than we can and we just don’t care?
To be woke means being aware of issues related to race, gender, class, religion, national origins, and other forms of discriminatory unfairness. Like my experience as a youngster or my daughter’s experience today. Being woke involves recognizing and actively challenging what might be considered par for the course but is actually wrong and hurtful, thereby allowing biases to perpetuate inequality. To be clear, being woke is a sensitivity to how others feel and are treated, with an eye toward assisting marginalized communities.
The origins of the woke concept can be traced back to African American communities in the 1900s, where the term was first used to signify being aware and vigilant in the face of racial injustice. African American civil rights activists and intellectuals, such as Angela Davis, Malcolm X and James Baldwin, laid the groundwork by challenging systemic racism and advocating for equality. The concept gained renewed prominence in the last 10 years with the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement, which brought issues of police brutality and racial profiling to the forefront of public consciousness.
Understand that woke has nothing to do with the mob violence that some cities experience from time to time. Or the drug wars perpetuated by gangs.
Woke fosters inclusivity. When we raise awareness of social injustice, and when we encourage critical thinking, we are all empowered to question prevailing narratives and work toward dismantling systemic inequalities.
Big words and bigger ideas, yes, but here is why I am woke. I believe in examining my own biases and prejudices, hopefully leading me to increased empathy, compassion and the acceptance of diverse perspectives. I choose to advocate for marginalized communities and am not afraid to advocate for those whose voices are drowned out by those who lack concern for others.
I also recognize that being empathetic to others makes me subject to those who would call me names — like liberal or RINO.
Being woke and compassionate does not rule out being conservative. I believe it is more important to wear Christianity in my heart than on my sleeve.
I am sorry that woke has come to be a decisive term in the mentality of “us versus them.” Woke should not be about identity politics, slowing understanding between different groups. It is unfortunate that those critical of woke highlight the phenomenon of cancel culture, where some individuals and organizations are ostracized or boycotted for perceived transgressions against social norms. Of course this practice stands boldly against free speech and fosters the stifling of dissenting opinions.
And there are those who have a distaste for excessive political correctness. I understand their concern. Yet in my lifetime, I have discovered that the road to self-improvement, or to a better society, is riddled with changes and practices that might be difficult to swallow at first.
It’s important to understand that being woke is a personal and individual journey, and there’s no definitive checklist or standard to follow. It’s about developing an understanding of social issues, empathy towards marginalized communities and actively working towards a more inclusive and equitable society.
I am proud to be woke … and you should be too. Unless we work together to raise awareness of social injustices while challenging oppressive practices, nothing will change. And that would be a shame.
Bill Gindlesperger is a central Pennsylvanian, Dickinson College graduate, Pennsylvania System Of Higher Education (PASSHE) Governor, Shippensburg University Trustee, and Chairman of eLynxx Solutions. The firm provides enterprise-level cloud-software for communicating, specifying, approving, procuring, producing, reporting and activities necessary to obtaining direct mail, packaging, promo, marketing and all other printing. He is a board member, campaign advisor, successful entrepreneur, published author and commentator. He can be reached at[email protected].
