¨WOKE!

Have you ever heard these lyrics? 

Me and Martha, we were standing upstairs

I heard a white man sayin' "I don't want no niggers up there"

Lord, he's a bourgeois man

Yee, it's a bourgeois town

I got the bourgeois blues

Gonna spread the news all around

Home of the brave, land of the free

I don't wanna be mistreated by no bourgeoisie

Lord, in a bourgeois town

Yee, the bourgeois town

I got the bourgeois blues

I'm gonna spread the news all around

Them white folks in Washington they know how

To call a colored man a nigga

 just to see him bow

Lord, it's a bourgeois town

Ooh, the bourgeois town

I got the bourgeois blues

I'm gonna spread the news all around

You haven´t? Well, a few days ago, I hadn't either. It's from a song, “Bourgeois Blues,” from the legendary blues musician Lead Belly, where he criticized racial inequality and injustice. He'd gone to Washington in 1937 with his wife Martha and this being a Jim Crow city at the time, well, they faced all kinds of racism and discrimination. So he wrote about it. That's what being ´woke´ was at that time all about: spreading the message of staying awake to the struggles facing African Americans. ✊🏼✊🏿✊🏿✊🏽✊🏾

Here is the link to it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2t-X-v7dAM 

A CALL TO AWARENESS

African American communities used "woke" as a way of saying, "Stay awake, be aware, and keep an eye on the systemic issues around you." It was a reminder to remain conscious of the racism and inequality that existed in society.

The word really began to gain traction in the 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement. Activists like Malcolm X and others were encouraging people to "stay woke" to the struggles of Black Americans. It meant being aware of the larger social forces and powers that affected their lives, like police brutality, segregation, and inequality. So, all Lead Belly was doing was using his creative gift to spread the message of staying awake to the struggles facing African Americans. As simple as that. 

blues musician Lead Belly

“Woke” in the Modern Age

Fast forward to the early 2000s, and the term “woke” started to resurface in pop culture, especially in music. The 2008 song "Master Teacher" by Erykah Badu brought “woke” back into the mainstream. In the song, Badu encourages listeners to stay aware and conscious, especially about how society treats marginalized communities. The term was no longer just about racial awareness; it became a broader call to action for social justice, compassion, and understanding in a world full of inequality.

As the word spread, it began to capture the attention of not only musicians but also activists, politicians, and educators. Being “woke” was seen as being in touch with the need for social change, environmental responsibility, and empathy for others. It wasn’t just about recognizing racism anymore—it was about recognizing all forms of oppression and working toward a more just and compassionate world. In this sense, being woke also meant loving others, showing empathy, and caring for Mother Nature, or Gaia, as we often call it today. 💓💗💖💝

The Criticism and Misuse of "Woke"

However, as the term gained popularity, it started to face criticism, especially from certain groups that felt uncomfortable with the changes being pushed forward. In recent years, the term has been used more negatively. It’s often thrown around by critics of progressive movements, particularly by voices associated with white nationalism. Some say that “woke” has become an overused, almost performative way of showing that you care, rather than truly making a change.

This version of “woke” has been turned into a label for anyone who stands up for marginalized communities, environmental protection, or gender equality. It’s been twisted by those who oppose these movements to mean something exaggerated, even mocking it as overly sensitive or “politically correct.” The term, which originally stood for compassion and understanding, has now been hijacked by critics to serve as a symbol of what they see as a threat to their beliefs.

This shift in how “woke” is used highlights a deeper issue: It’s the resistance to compassion and empathy. People who criticize “woke” often argue that the world should be more tolerant, yet they oppose the very actions that promote understanding, like addressing racism, poverty, or environmental destruction. These critics are speaking out against the very core values that “woke” represents—values of care, love, and a desire to help others, whether human or part of the natural world.

"Woke" and White Nationalism

The connection between white nationalism and the critique of “woke” is particularly troubling. White nationalism is built on the idea that some people, based on their race or background, are superior to others. This kind of thinking goes against everything that “woke” stands for—equality, empathy, and justice for all people, regardless of their skin color, religion, or nationality.

By using “woke” as an insult, some white nationalist groups are attempting to undermine the very message that “woke” carries. They are trying to dismiss the importance of loving your neighbors, showing empathy, and fighting for equality. This is a dangerous path, as it leads to a world where hate and division are allowed to thrive. The compassion that “woke” stands for is a direct challenge to the selfishness and exclusion that white nationalism tries to promote.

Embracing the True Meaning of "Woke"

Despite the negative critiques and misunderstandings surrounding the word "woke," it’s important to remember its original meaning: awareness and action driven by love, compassion, and empathy for others. To be woke is to recognize the world’s injustices, big or small, and to act in a way that promotes kindness, equality, and sustainability.

In a world where hatred and division are often celebrated, staying woke means standing up for what’s right: loving and supporting others, caring for the planet, and helping to create a future where all people can live with dignity and respect. The true power of being woke lies in using your awareness to bring about positive change. And that change starts with each of us choosing compassion over division, understanding over hatred, and love over fear. Simple. Humane.

So now that you know, stay woke.

Thanks for reading. Abrazos.

Diego Rojas