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In spite of what Ron DiSanctis says, being "WOKE" is not a bad thing.

Apparently, In the the early 60's, a singer called "Leadbelly" came up with the term "Woke" which meant to be cautious, or on the alert for people with "Jim Crow" type leanings.

Happily, the majority of people in this country do not view "Wokeness" as a negative thing which is great to know.

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FragileHeart · 22-25, M Best Comment

Republicans use it as an umbrella term to describe anything they don't like: LGBT people, awareness of racism, education/academia, immigration, Drag Queens, ...

I hope they won’t win and people will realize that the right wing have nothing to offer beyond hatred and prejudice

Grateful4you · M

@FragileHeart A wonderful explanation, thanks so much for posting this.

Briggett · T

@FragileHeart if they or he was woke they wouldn’t be doing same the old stuff since the sixties

bijouxbroussard · F

It is very old black slang. It was one of "our" terms not used in the presence of whites. I remember hearing it as a child, but it definitely predates me.

Hearing white people, especially conservatives saying things like "woke-ism", etc. Is actually kind of insulting, since they have no clue about the origin. They might as well just identify themselves as racist or white supremacist, because that’s who would have a problem with being "woke", based on the old definition.

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goodlil666 · 51-55, M

@bijouxbroussard No if you really read my statement that is exactly NOT what I am saying. Read the definition you posted. They all describe in some way massive loss of life / slaughter. Again you just pointed your own finger right back at yourself about comprehending the definition of the word. LOL !!!

bijouxbroussard · F

@goodlil666 Actually, you’re the one who missed the context. Some of us were having a conversation that you saw your way into, and it was mentioned that

A director of nursing once remarked, "There can never be another holocaust, not here in America”

You took that and ran with it. And you immediately accused us of "disrespecting" the Holocaust survivors ? Why would you say that, if you understand that it’s not the only instance where such a word can be used ?
You blundered into a conversation that you didn’t understand. You still don’t get it. That person was mistaken. It certainly could happen again. And with systemic racism (which even you admit will always exist on some level), including some lawmakers actively trying to turn the clock back, a reoccurrence is pretty much inevitable.

bijouxbroussard · F

@goodlil666

Your the one that piped up to my question about a Holocaust going on in America today.

Your question appeared on the conversation that resulted from my response to the OP. Check again.

MaBalzEsHari · M

The ONLY thing that gives a Republican a following is not that they do anything to help those that vote for them. Look at the poverty levels in Red States......how far down their schools rank.......their healthcare systems.......lack of business start ups.......high welfare rates per capita.....etc.

Rather Republicans are loved and worshipped because they ALL hate the same people and things that their voters do. Trump delivered on nothing for ANY of those that voted for him and yet the cult sings his praises. Why? Because trump...Desantis....... all Republicans buy into the hate for Jews, blacks, Muslims,,,,,and anyone who asks, "have we killed enough kids yet to talk about this"? And they ALL use easy words...........like "woke".......that a not too bright audience can remember and repeat to make fun of anything and everything that involves education, empathy for others or understanding that hate isn't leadership..........it's a diversion for the lack of it.

Grateful4you · M

@MaBalzEsHari Probably one of the best posts I've read so far today. Great job!

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@MaBalzEsHari I agree completely. And I would refine one small point regarding the Republican message to their poor, ill educated supporters. As you say, they identify those who are different, in colour or faith, then they hint that somehow the suffering and deprivation the voter is suffering is the fault of those people. Southparks famous meme. "They're takin' our jobs"😷

MaBalzEsHari · M

@whowasthatmaskedman "They're taking our jobs".............is often found in the same conversation that eventually gets around to......"they're taking all of our welfare and food stamps and benefits".

Not ever batting an eye they only remember key phrases from lies told to them at rallies and it never dawns on any of that they are talking out of both sides of their mouths at once. Like someone could actually take all of the jobs there are........and at the same time all of those damned freeloading immigrants are drawing all of the benefits of NOT working.

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

You can see how this happened, cant you? Being "woke" was to be awake, or alert. To be aware of your situation. Now thats a very bad thing for anyone voting Republican to be with some of the 💩 going down on that side of politics. (Not that the other side is pristine of course) Just vote and dont ask stupid questions...😷

PrincessRoarBuddy · F

Apparently in the 60's so MIGHT NOT BE TRUE..that this unknown person apparently "came up with" "WOKE".

But heck YES being stupid "woke" is a bad thing. Yuck.

And nope being "woke" does NOT mean that someone is awake and or alert.

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PrincessRoarBuddy · F

@FragileHeart Since the coward @FragileHeart had the nerve to harass me and block me, you will be called out

I mentioned that coz it has NOTHING to do with that and the whole comment you made was boring and nonsense

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SW-User

Interesting thread. I never knew the origins of the word. Thanks. In the UK the word is often thrown about in the Tory Tabloid Press, as some sort of attempt to suppress any thought being given to anything at all.

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@SW-User British conservatives have a tendency to slavishly follow trends set by the American Right, often with little understanding of the political context.

goodlil666 · 51-55, M

@bijouxbroussard I asked a question of a Holocaust that had been mentioned going on today. You responded back to my question confirming that was indeed the case.

You still didn't read and comprehend my statement . I didn't say the holocaust I said a holocaust anywhere in the world past or present.

My point was and is a holocaust and racism are separate issues. Racism is an ideology and a holocaust is an event . Though racism could be a cause for a holocaust. Racism in itself is not a Holocaust .

Your the one that piped up to my question about a Holocaust going on in America today.

Grateful4you · M

@goodlil666 I seem to hear the distant whine of Picayune nitpicking.

goodlil666 · 51-55, M

@Grateful4you I know right. Lol

Grateful4you · M

@goodlil666 One of the important things the Nazi's knew was they needed to manipulate the economy when you are drifting you seek something to grab onto staying afloat. Almost everyone knows flailing about on a unsteady sea can make one feel insecure and rather frightened it quickly becomes a will to survive and that in itself is somewhat scary.

SmileOnYourBrother

The "majority"? 😂 Who told you that? Not Anheuser-Busch. 😂

Grateful4you · M

@SmileOnYourBrother I realize that polls are rarely a reliable measure on how folks feel about various and sundry ideas but in this case, it seems the majority of people do view "Wokeness" as a positive thing. Please take no offence it's just my opinion, I really don't want to make this an issue. Thank you!

ArtieKat · M

In the the early 60's, a singer called "Leadbelly" came up with the term "Woke"

You may want to check your dates: Huddie Ledbetter died in 1949. The word was used in a song in 1938, about being alert to racial prejudice.

Grateful4you · M

@ArtieKat Thank you for the clarification, I must have crossed my wires when I read the original explanation. Thanks again, I hate coming across as foolish.😜

ArtieKat · M

@Grateful4you I only knew because some friends of mine introduced me to all sorts of Blues and Folk in the late '60s and knew he had been dead before we were born

MaBalzEsHari · M

To a Republican anything that involves awareness, empathy for others, educational advancement, understanding of math, science and history............. and how those things contradict the Republican message is "woke"........and that can't be allowed.

bookerdana · M

For some it's a catch all term for ,"I don't like it Imma right (wrong) winger

BackyardShaman · 61-69, M

Leadbelly (Huddie Ledbetter) died in 1949.

Musicman · 61-69, MVIP

I definitely disagree with you.

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