Wokes

Wokes is a term used to refer to people who are perceived as being woke, or to ideas and attitudes associated with woke social justice activism. The word woke originates from African American Vernacular English and originally meant being awake to social injustices, particularly around race. In the 2010s the term entered broader usage through media and online discourse, and the plural form wokes is sometimes used to describe adherents of woke ideas or to label a segment of public debate. The expression can function descriptively or pejoratively, depending on context and speaker.

In contemporary usage, wokes are associated with awareness of systemic inequalities related to race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and other identities. Their concerns often emphasize inclusive language, allyship, academic jargon such as intersectionality, and policies intended to reduce discrimination and expand opportunities. The term wokeness has been applied in various settings, including education, media, politics, and corporate culture, where discussions of representation and equity have become prominent.

Wokes and woke culture are the subject of ongoing political and cultural debate. Supporters argue that woke perspectives highlight and address long-standing power imbalances and oppression, contributing to social progress and accountability. Critics contend that wokeness can amount to performative or excessive political correctness, suppress dissenting views, or lead to cancel culture and moral signaling. Some observers describe “performative wokeness” or “woke capitalism” when social justice rhetoric is viewed as decorative or instrumental rather than substantive.

Overall, the term wokes reflects a broader, contested shift in public discourse around fairness, identity, and power, with meanings and implications that vary across communities and regions.