The term ‘woke’ has become a loaded phrase, bringing forth images of fiercely held beliefs and clashes between opposing camps. Originating from a 1938 folk song by Lead Belly, informing people to be aware of injustice, the term’s meaning has taken on a new, broad meaning in recent years, as multiple social justice movements have adopted it as their rallying cry. Right wing and conservative forces have also taken notice and critiqued what they perceive to be ‘taboo’ policies, leading to intense and often vitriolic debates online and in the mainstream media. In response, the question of how we can maximize woke’s potential while minimizing the culture war’s divisiveness has become increasingly relevant and pressing.
One way of achieving this is to pay more attention to the history of the term and its original intended purpose. The original meaning was focused on highlighting the injustices that black people in the 1940s faced, and as such, the focus should be on creating progress and improvements for disenfranchised communities, rather than attempting to call out any particular group or leader. Focusing on constructive activities that bring people together, such as charity projects, educational initiatives, or even forums where dialogue and debate can happen safely, can help create better understanding and more inclusive decision-making.
Another solution to the conflict is for media outlets and pundits to stop using the term in their headlines and provocative stories. While often utilizing inflammatory language to stir up attention and garner clicks, this approach often leads to further polarization and misunderstanding. Instead, coverage could focus on understanding both sides’ perspectives, being informative, and building upon truer understanding and empathy. This way, more informed dialogue would be possible whereby certain individuals or groups aren’t automatically vilified, but instead discussed and understood in the appropriate context.
Similarly, individuals, politicians, and businesses need to make more efforts to understand the nuanced nature of the issues in question. It can often be easy to forget that behind the debates and disagreements stand people with their own experiences and needs, whether they have come together to support similar causes or craft policies and businesses decisions. Attempts to understand and listen to the different perspectives involved can help create social progress while avoiding unnecessarily stigmatizing or alienating any group.
Finally, people’s understanding of the term woke should be allowed to evolve as society evolves, rather than imposing specific standards or trying to suppress the evolution of the term. Multiple definitions and interpretations can coexist so long as constructive engagements are prioritized and those with dissenting perspectives are given the opportunity to respectfully discuss their views. This lessens both the likelihood of divisions hardening and of certain groups, who are most often the ones to suffer the consequences of unnecessary quarreling, being taken advantage of.
Ultimately, it is essential to remember that woke, whatever interpretation one might put on it, is a tool for encouraging progress and understanding, not for spreading vitriol and further divisions. Finding sensible and evidence-based solutions will be the key to truly maximizing its potential while minimizing the culture wars’ divisiveness.
Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was one of the first banks to be caught up in the anti-woke hysteria. It saw its collapse due to internal issues and not because of any of its ‘woke’ social practices. Recently, the publicity of its failure led to Vivek Ramaswamy, author of the anti-woke book Woke, Inc., running for the presidential nomination of the U.S. Republican party. While his chances of attaining the nomination are slim, this does indicate the presence of the debates about wokeness in the upcoming election.
Vivek Ramaswamy is a lawyer, entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He is the founder and CEO of venture firm Roivant Sciences of which he controls over 55% of voting rights. He has been an active investor in several healthcare companies and has as invested in many startups as well. Ramaswamy argued against what he perceives as overly-oppressive ‘woke’ policies, and instead advocates for small government involvement, minimal corporate taxation, and freedom of speech.
