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For the last few years, the only people using the word "woke" are constantly outraged conservative commentators. It's impossible to take you seriously when you

by imilk 5y ago

For the last few years, the only people using the word "woke" are constantly outraged conservative commentators. It's impossible to take you seriously when you use terms like that. Since I don't exist in that bubble, can you define "woke" & "woke culture"?

rufus_foreman 5y ago
[flagged]
- imilk 5y ago
  Since I don't exist in that bubble, can you define "woke" & "woke culture"?
  - rufus_foreman 5y ago
    It was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2017: chiefly US slang : aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice) But we will only succeed if we reject the growing pressure to retreat into cynicism and hopelessness. … We have a moral obligation to "stay woke," take a stand and be active; challenging injustices and racism in our communities and fighting hatred and discrimination wherever it rises. — Barbara Lee … argued that … Brad Pitt is not only woke, but the wokest man in Hollywood … because he uses his status—and his production company Plan B—to create space for artists of color, with such films as 12 Years a Slave, Selma, and the upcoming film Moonlight. — Giselle Defares
    - imilk 5y ago
      So based on that definition, explain to me how being "aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)" is bad... And does "woke culture" just mean a culture of being "aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)"?
      - rufus_foreman 5y ago
        Being aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues is not bad. Using language that implies that you, but not other people, are aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues is bad. And using language like "woke" which implies that other people are asleep or they would agree with you, is bad. It's similar to using words like "sheeple" to describe people who you disagree with. As you said, it's impossible to take you seriously when you use terms like that. That's what the outraged conservative commentators are latching on to. They're telling their listeners, "They think they are woke and you are asleep". Things are tribal. It's a powerful message.
        imilk 5y ago
        So you're saying there's more to the term "woke" than the definition you provided. In fact, the additional context you gave makes the definition almost completely meaningless. But what if (and it's a big what if) there is a whole side of thought in America that believes issues of racial and social justice are not worthwhile and have already been settled? Would the term "woke" still be offensive then, based on what you just said? I don't really know if the 2nd paragraph of your comment is supposed to be satire or serious, but that often happens when these undefinable words are thrown around as if they are cannon.
        rufus_foreman 5y ago
        I think you mean canon rather than cannon. Either works I guess.

by imilk 5y ago

rufus_foreman 5y ago

[flagged]

imilk 5y ago
Since I don't exist in that bubble, can you define "woke" & "woke culture"?
- rufus_foreman 5y ago
  It was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2017: chiefly US slang : aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice) But we will only succeed if we reject the growing pressure to retreat into cynicism and hopelessness. … We have a moral obligation to "stay woke," take a stand and be active; challenging injustices and racism in our communities and fighting hatred and discrimination wherever it rises. — Barbara Lee … argued that … Brad Pitt is not only woke, but the wokest man in Hollywood … because he uses his status—and his production company Plan B—to create space for artists of color, with such films as 12 Years a Slave, Selma, and the upcoming film Moonlight. — Giselle Defares
  - imilk 5y ago
    So based on that definition, explain to me how being "aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)" is bad... And does "woke culture" just mean a culture of being "aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)"?
    - rufus_foreman 5y ago
      Being aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues is not bad. Using language that implies that you, but not other people, are aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues is bad. And using language like "woke" which implies that other people are asleep or they would agree with you, is bad. It's similar to using words like "sheeple" to describe people who you disagree with. As you said, it's impossible to take you seriously when you use terms like that. That's what the outraged conservative commentators are latching on to. They're telling their listeners, "They think they are woke and you are asleep". Things are tribal. It's a powerful message.
      - imilk 5y ago
        So you're saying there's more to the term "woke" than the definition you provided. In fact, the additional context you gave makes the definition almost completely meaningless. But what if (and it's a big what if) there is a whole side of thought in America that believes issues of racial and social justice are not worthwhile and have already been settled? Would the term "woke" still be offensive then, based on what you just said? I don't really know if the 2nd paragraph of your comment is supposed to be satire or serious, but that often happens when these undefinable words are thrown around as if they are cannon.
        rufus_foreman 5y ago
        I think you mean canon rather than cannon. Either works I guess.