Lootman wrote:Arborbridge wrote:Unfortunately, the term - which has really respectable roots going back to the 20's (?) has taken up by some political forces (mainly on the right) and turned into a term of abuse or derision. It's been "weaponised" against the cause it was originally used for and this is really regrettable.
The term "woke" may have so changed its meaning to now be an object of derision. But that is at least partly due to its overuse by some people.
The same thing happened to the terms "politically correct" and "social justice warrior". Both started out as noble and worthy attempts at promoting a liberal agenda. But then through precious and inappropriate usage they are now routinely mocked.
There's some truth in that, but you know perfectly well, it isn't the whole truth. This re-visiting of the word woke was pushed by the media and right wing. They didn't have to take up the "revisionist" cause and we don't have to go along with that and undermine the word itself. And ironically, its alleged overuse or misuse by some people that you refer to, is at least partly a balloon flown by those very right wing agents provocateur who like making mountain out of mole hills if it makes good news copy. This re-inforcement catches people in a self-fulfilling feeback loop - and in
my view you have just ably produced witness to that.
Incidentally, this happens now and again. For example, the word "egregious" use to mean quite the opposite of the way it's used now. A fact I've sometimes banged on about, but I was interested to read it was mentioned in the Times last Saturday.
The question is, can we ever recapture the true meaning of woke, or has the right wing mob taken over our language? I suggest we stop pretending we don't know what it means, and only use it in the correct context, or not at all.
Arb.
Arb.