It’s strange to me that a past tense form of ‘wake’ could become such a slur.

Am I woke? Have I awakened?

Questions:

• Is it woke to realize that I know less than scientists about their fields of work, research and study?
• Is it woke to recognize that humans can and do have very different experiences in their lives, and that those experiences are valid?
• Is it woke to see with fresh eyes (gratuitous nod lol) the historic context of our nation and its present-day impacts?
• Is it woke to decry racism?
• Is it woke to care for those less fortunate?
• Is it woke to confront my own (white) fragility?
• Is it woke to see greed and grift for what they are, and to combat them openly and with vigor?
• Is it woke to care for the environment and to try to do my part to minimize energy and petro-chemical (plastics) use?
• Is it woke to cry?
• Is it woke to love?
• Is it woke to stand with the ‘least of these’?
• Is it woke to hold two or more things to be true at the same time?
• Is it woke to move past binary thinking?
• Is it woke to make room for all kinds of religions, their followers, and the non-religious as well?
• Is it woke to question?
• Is it woke to be confident enough in my own gender and sexuality that I leave room for others to love whoever they wish, to feel attracted to whoever they desire, to wed or have families in whatever loving configuration works?

Is that ‘woke’?

If so, then yes. I am. And will continue to seek awakenings as I am made aware and am educated. You cannot un-ring those bells.