To be or not to be: woke
The term “woke” has become popular in today’s culture as a way to fight injustice and teach people how to act, especially in the areas of racial and sexual discrimination and the protection of everyone’s basic rights.
In 2022, this will be society and beyond. Through this, people are learning to rally around one another and value their differences. However, we can’t always make sure that every different kind of community is happy or content.
Please don’t misinterpret me. I’m for keeping up the fight to end inequality and injustice in our society. And everyone needs to remember that there will be a learning curve.
Everything has the potential to be offensive to somebody. Is this a really bad thing? No. Inappropriate humour, rude comments, and statements that promote ignorance have the potential to offend others, and they have every right to do so.
The greater takeaway would be if folks realised we can’t always be “woke.” To mistake is human; it is inherent in the process of learning and growing. You would hope that if someone committed something wrong, they would reflect on their actions and make amends. Yet there are repercussions for such actions. For some, this could mean the end of their careers or a dramatic shift in their lives.
That said, it’s important to be made aware of when and how to address impolite, disrespectful, or offensive behaviour, because we all need to learn that our actions have consequences. The excuse that one “didn’t think or know” cannot be accepted. There has to be better than this.
The very concept of “wokeness” has inspired a renewed interest in gaining wisdom from the past. Not everything that we learned in school is true or truthful from every person’s point of view, and the past isn’t always right or just. Perspectives on a tale might vary greatly. Each person’s story reflects their reality.
Personally, I can only speak for myself. There have been a few times throughout my life when I’ve felt woky. Even though I have mild Cerebral Palsy, the word “spastic” has been used casually around me. If you want to change people’s behaviour, don’t yell at them or become angry with them, teach them. I have also educated others on the origins of the terms “spaz” and “spastic,” which both derive from the medical term spasticity.
I’ve found that when I do this, rather than lashing out or becoming upset with other people, I feel more confident and strong. Will people eventually grow up and stop repeating the same mistakes? Yes, please! It’s also true that modern culture has become remarkably forgiving of political incorrectness. If you or your community have been offended by someone else’s words, jokes, or actions, it is ultimately up to you to decide whether or not to provide forgiveness.
But in today’s enlightened culture, all that’s expected of us is just to listen to one another and treat each other with respect and dignity. A discussion is the first step in the process.
A good rule of thumb is “the golden rule,” which states that you should treat others the way you want to be treated.
Humanity’s greatest asset is diversity. It is not only a cause for jubilation because it showcases the richness of the world’s many different ethnicities and countries, but also because it serves as a continual reminder that every nation on Earth has something to offer in the way of cultural exchange.
