"Woke"
 

This has been on my mind for some months now, and I haven't really figured out the most effective way to convey what I need to say. So I hope I am granted some grace if what I am saying is clunky or not clear.

I've noticed on GC the use of the word "woke" to essentialy describe a particular kind of white ally of movements of racial justice.

First, I want to provide a commonly accepted definition of the word "woke" prior to this moment:

"...political term of African American origin, refers to a perceived awareness of issues concerning social justice and racial justice."

There are specific songs, plays, works of art, etc, which use this word--all black art.

When I hear "woke" as a black man, I think of the black experience--my black experience--and my awakening, be it the deepening of my awareness of racial injustice and systemic racism, or my awarness of the issues facing black women or black transwomen.

Seeing the word "woke" used to describe the white people in your organizations that you disagree with... that feels really uncomfortable for me. 10 percent of that is that you're using a word from the African American tradition and you are not African American. 90 percent of that is that you're using a word from the African American tradition and turning it into a slur.

Listen, if there are white people in your organizations calling themselves "woke," they should not be. It grates my ears as much as it does yours. But to take it to the next level and call those people "woke" or even "fake woke" sounds, to me, a black person, like something I hope you're not intending.

Because what I am hearing when you type that is, at best "I am not open to learning about a point of view which differs from mine because I am holding onto my beliefs at all costs." And at worst, honestly? I am hearing you say "N***** lover."

Most of you reading this will not care. Some of you will be offended that I told you how I receive the words that you say. It is what it is. At least I've said it.

But know that because this is how you've decided to show up on GC, this is why I'm averse to participating in a Zoom call with you to celebrate GC's anniversary.

I'm white, and even I was uncomfortable with how it's been used here over the past couple months - it's certainly made me cringe on more than one occasion. But I also didn't know if my feelings were valid or if it was my place to call others out on it, because perhaps I was ignorant to the word's true meaning and history. Clearly I was.

Thank you for the lesson and for speaking how you feel. Of course those feelings are valid and should be listened to and learned from by all of us.

Thanks for sharing your perspective.

Very well said! I am not African American myself, but I share your discomfort with the way the word "woke" has been used inappropriately here and the way some people want to make a fuss over why NPC organizations have to make changes that NPHC groups do not. If only people would more deeply reflect on their organization's histories and realize the long history of discriminatory policies and practice which were often the impetus for the creation of many multicultural organizations.

I am a POC and an immigrant, and when I pledged an NPC organization in the mid 2010s along with my pledge class full of diverse women, I knew that there would be alumnae of our sorority who would be opposed to our membership. It is extremely disheartening to see certain members of GC voice their displeasure at measures being taken to improve the NPC experience for all its members and future members, and has really validated all my insecurities about my membership.

I know I did this today, Sen. I didn’t realize it was this hurtful to you, and I’m sorry. I’ll edit my post and I won’t do it again.

Thank you for your post and your bravery. This white woman agrees with you: the use of “woke” on this forum (and especially by one particular poster, not you 33girl) is intended as a slur. As a mockery of white allies standing up for the black community. And as something that certain middle aged white sorority women most definitely don’t want permeating their sisterhoods. It’s disgusting and I agree at the very core, it’s racist.

No BLM supporting, equality pursuing sorority women are calling themselves “woke”, that’s for sure.

Thank you for sharing your perspective and the effort and time you took to write this post, Sen.

I have noticed the same thing and I agree with you.

I don’t mean to derail the thread, but I have to admit I have heard about things that caused me trepidation about posting different views on this forum. People who have spoken up have not just been mocked, but also completely silenced.

Thank you Sen, you do have a good way of explaining things and also sharing your point of view in an honest and genuine way that sometimes can't always be conveyed via a screen.

I starting hearing the term being bandied about but never clearly understood the background/origins of it. I was never keen on using the word myself as a Latinx just because honestly its just isn't a term I use especially in this current era of social justice awareness.

I think there is a good takeaway that even though a word might be sort of be on trend in a way it is a good idea to really understand the context and the background.

I cannot thank you enough for your words, and I appreciate the very thoughtful way you presented the commentary. I have used the word "woke" (not on GC but in conversation, and never as a pejorative) to describe white people, as I was ignorant of its etymology. I am happy to have learned something new today that will change the way I speak/write in the future.

Thank you for having the courage to speak up and sharing your message with us.

Thanks everybody, and thanks for reading.

The horse is out of the gate regarding the word "woke" used in ways you disagree with. Regardless of its origins, it’s becoming a term used by many people.

The OP mentioned the word is used in songs, plays, and works of art - and emphasized black art. Although it wasn’t explicitly stated, I got the impression the subject of “cultural appropriation” was being approached or implied. I also got the impression that maybe I (and other non-black people) were being subtly told we can’t use the word because of the color of our skin or our heritage.

Cultures and language evolve over time and influence one another. Cultures have been borrowing from one another (and their languages) since the beginning of all of us. It would be arrogant for any group to claim “appropriation” because groups can’t exert ownership over words, things or trends. To claim cultural appropriation is to claim your group is above the mixing and influence happening when cultures meet. And that is insulting to those outside of your culture.

Someone using a word from the African American tradition and them not being African American is allowed in a free society. Perhaps it is becoming somewhat of a slur, but again, once it’s out there no one can possibly control how it’s used. I bristle at disparaging terms used to describe me and others like me just because we have different (not better or worse) beliefs.

If there are white people in organizations calling themselves “woke”, they CAN (even if you don’t think they should). Even if it grates my ears as much as it does yours (and it does). Being uncomfortable and annoyed sometimes is the price people pay to live in a free society. And unrestricted speech is allowed in a free society. And I am willing to die on this hill.

Calling people "woke" or even "fake woke" is probably not what you’re thinking, or what the other person is intending. It probably comes from a sense of annoyance, not racial hatred. Feeling constantly disrespected because we hold different (not necessarily better or worse) values and beliefs. Think micro-aggression.

Some may be offended that I disagree that certain people can’t use certain words because of the color of their skin or their heritage. To me, this says, at best, "I am not open to learning about a point of view which differs from mine because I am holding onto my beliefs at all costs." And at worst, honestly? I am hearing you say "RACIST".

As the OP said, most of you reading this will not care. Some of you will be offended that I told you how I receive the words that you say. It is what it is. At least I've said it.

Sorry if it have screwed up the quote, but I could not agree more. The question becomes to you want a melting pot or a stew? I personally prefer the melting pot.

You absolutely have a right to feel however you want or say whatever you want.

The word “woke” is positive in our culture. It’s about awakening. It’s about learning more about our culture, race, barriers, history and injustices. It’s what drives us to fight for equity and to help others to do the same.

In quite a few posts, “woke” has been used to describe sorority members who seem to want to see the equities and diversity in their organizations, except it’s a negative connotation. Additionally, some of the visual aids provided have shown people who have little to no desire to see equity for people like me in this country. That’s disappointing to me.

I come here because I enjoy learning more about my sister and brother greeks. Many of you have helped me be able to connect with students better and even some of my alumni colleagues. I’ve had some great conversations in the DM’s and compared ideas. It’s a commonality that we share. But it’s disappointing to read comments where “gangs,” are randomly mentioned, had people make comments alluding Black people being a monolithic group or where “wokeness” has been co-opted and used in a negative light. It’s simply not being used correctly and the way it was used was offensive. What’s more disappointing is why I attempt to discuss my feelings, thoughts or experiences from the perspective of a Black woman in conversations of race and diversity, I am often ignored and the conversation is instead centered in non-Black experiences or “I have a Black friend/coworker/neighbor” experiences.

Again, I can’t tell you how to feel or what to say. I can’t tell you what to do with your rituals or how to run your organizations. I try my best to give insight and perspectives in conversations because I know there are very few of us who are here or participating. And no, I don’t speak for all of us, but if I can bring clarity I certainly try.

In regards to a melting pot, it’s fine to find commonalities in people, but not when you ignore differences or histories. There are things that began in Black cultures and were adapted by other cultures, only to be used without any understanding of the histories behind it, and a prime example is the word “woke” that has been used on GC. There is nothing wrong with appreciating other cultures, but just like tik tok dances, badly researched articles, cornrows, hip hop and other music forms, many aspects of fashion, slang, NPHC Greek life and numerous other examples, it’s frustrating to see people use things without acknowledging, learning or even caring about the actual people who created it. Color blindness means not acknowledging some of the most important aspects of who I am and my history.

I don’t know any of you personally and I try my best not to judge, but I’ve certainly seen some comments that don’t always make me feel welcomed on GC.

*Duplicate post*

I used bold text for emphasis, Thank you!!! I am not African American but, forums like this allow me to learn more about the culture and even experiences I haven't been privy to both good and bad.

I think your point about appreciating other cultures is spot on, that's great if you want to appreciate an aspect of another culture, but I think its important to do some homework too. I'll use myself as an example, I've been to both east and west Africa about 4 times some was for work other trips were with my church, and it was such an incredible and humbling experience for many reasons. While on a break day I generally love to go to outdoor markets when I travel just to get some things to take home to remember. Generally, I'm not drawn to clothing per se when I travel but African textiles were a game changer, they were just beautiful, I took time to ask the shop keepers the meaning behind the patterns and their significance and some were quite deep. So for me and especially when I wear my ankara dresses I got in Ghana, I wear them with affection and with respect to the people who took the time and care to craft them. I'm under no illusion that I am African or African American, but I wear them with appreciation and if someone asks I explain where I got the item and that the patterns tell a story to me its important to have some appreciation. Generally too it opens up another dialogue to discuss my trips to Africa.

Over the last couple of months, I used to say I didn't see color of others, but realized has you say it means not acknowledging someone and who they are and their history.

Also I've learned a lot about NPHC groups through this forum and the great insight provided by those who are members of NPHC groups. So I'm grateful for that, even though I have some friends and co-workers who are members of different NPHC groups and I've asked a few very general questions when they brought up their membership, I am always a bit careful since I don't want to ask something that might be a no-go area for someone who isn't a member.

In general based on other interactions I've had with friends and those who I thought were friends on FB and previously IRL, for some like myself its ok to not agree with everyone, but for others it just seems like sitting behind a computer screen people feel like they have the right to get in the last word to make their point across.

I've chosen to go through life loving others as best as I can (granted far from perfect) but to also try and keep an open ear to listen to what others have to say and to share their experience.

There are enough dog whistles in your post to let me know exactly who you are and what you believe, and believe me: I am not offended that I know you're racist.

I really appreciate the time you took to write this post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts in what I perceived as a loving manner.

This is why we can’t have open discussions about race. All dissenting opinions equal racism.

The issue is that POC come in and tell us honestly and specifically what white people can do to reduce racist terminology/behavior and cultural appropriation (whether intentional or not, such as NPC groups using hand signs), then white people come in and say they’re going to keep doing what they want anyway.

Sen and PersistentDST, I appreciate your insight and I hope there are more of us learning from your posts than you can tell from the replies. There are times when a simple "like" button on GC would be helpful

Bingo...and thank you.

This should have been where this was /thread.

It's unfortunate that some folks want to use language which is harmful to others for no good reason at all. If someone says certain language is problematic and offers good reasons, what's the rationale for persisting? The question is not aimed at Sen, just rhetorical. I'm not sure why there are two sides to this issue.

OK, here is my take. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

Sen, you have made some very good posts over the years and you have also offended GCers for years. When you call people names, such as racist, for stating their opinion--that's offensive. When you have made obscene posts, such as your signature in your Senusret I name--that's offensive to many. When you come into NPC threads and tell us how you think we should run ourselves--and we would never come clomping into the APhiA forum and do such--that's offensive to many.

If we call you on anything, you call us names. It seems like you want to ride roughshod over many of us, insulting us if we disagree. Why did you come back if you only wanted to do that? Have you not heard that you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar?

from carnation, who is neither middle-aged nor quite white--

with a quote from "Alice in Wonderland"--"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less."

His last signature was directed at me and it was 16 years ago. If his last post can pass the written exam, it can have a driver's license. IIRC, his conduct has been fine since his return. I understand things can all start running together after a certain point--and I was surprised his last post on that account was 16 years ago when I looked, but I think we can all be over it at this point.

Yet, here you are.

"Racist" is not a mean name I use because I'm angry.

It's a classification of your actual behavior and how you show up in the world.

I don't see why there are two sides, either.

All logical opinions have been shared. The only real disagreement is with me as a person because it appears as though I have never been "checked" for being rude or vulgar. I'm arrogant and uppity, if you will.

And some folks can't stand it. :-)

In reality, there are moderators and super moderators on this site who have had far worse conduct than me--just without profanity. They know who they are and they know what they've done.

I'm not engaging anymore in this thread. Not because I'm "flouncing" because lord knows I hate a flounce LOL. But because, as you said, there is a persistence here. I don't think it comes from a good place, and it says more about them than it does about me.

"thumbs up."

Co-sign!