what does it mean to be woke

To be "woke" means to be aware of and actively attentive to important societal issues, especially regarding racial and social justice. Originally coined in the African American community, particularly in the early to mid-1900s, "woke" meant being alert to racial prejudice and systemic injustices, as well as the need to address them. It gained widespread use with the Black Lives Matter movement starting around 2014, emphasizing informed awareness of inequality, police violence, and discrimination. In contemporary usage, "woke" can refer more broadly to awareness of social inequalities including sexism and LGBTQ rights. However, over time, the term has been adopted and sometimes used disparagingly by critics to label progressive activism or identity politics. Despite this, at its core, being "woke" is about consciousness and education regarding systemic injustice and the pursuit of social justice.