The "woke movement" refers to a social and political awareness centered on recognizing and addressing systemic social inequalities and injustices, particularly those related to race, but also including sexism, LGBTQ rights, and other forms of discrimination. The term "woke" originated in African- American English as early as the 1930s, initially meaning being alert to racial prejudice and discrimination. It gained broader use in the 2010s with the Black Lives Matter movement, especially after the 2014 Ferguson protests, where "stay woke" was a call to remain vigilant against racial injustice and police violence
. Over time, "woke" evolved into a shorthand for progressive political ideology involving social justice, identity politics, and critical race theory. It emphasizes awareness of concepts like white privilege and reparations for slavery in the U.S. The movement encourages speaking out against perceived injustices, using tools such as free speech and activism to promote change
. However, the term has also been politicized and sometimes used pejoratively, especially by conservatives and some centrists, who criticize it as performative activism or superficial leftist ideology. This backlash has led to legislative efforts to limit race-based education and diversity initiatives, and "woke" is often linked to debates around "cancel culture" and political correctness
. In summary, the woke movement is a contemporary social justice movement rooted in historical Black activism, focused on heightened awareness and action against systemic inequalities, but it is also a contested and politically charged term in current discourse.
