Words are powerful tools that shape the way we think and communicate. They can bring people together, educate, and inspire. But there are some words that just don’t sit right. If I could permanently ban one word from general usage, it would be “woke.”
Now, before you jump to conclusions, let me explain. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being woke. In its purest sense, being woke means being aware of social injustices and striving to make the world a better place. It’s about compassion, empathy, and wanting to make a positive difference. What’s so wrong with that?
The problem is how the word has been hijacked and twisted by the media to describe people who are simply trying to do good in the world. It’s become a dirty word, a term used to dismiss and discredit those who are speaking out against inequality, discrimination, and injustice. Instead of celebrating the efforts to make the world more fair and kind, it’s been weaponised to ridicule and belittle.
We’ve seen it over and over: people being labelled “woke” as if it’s something negative, when in reality, it should be seen as a call for awareness and action. So, what do we do with a word that’s been corrupted in this way? We leave it behind. Let’s reclaim the conversation and stop allowing a term that means compassion to be used as a punchline.
In my book, being woke isn’t a bad thing—it’s a sign of progress, empathy, and a desire to understand the struggles of others. And that’s something we could use a lot more of. So, let’s banish the word “woke” from its negative connotation and use our energy to promote positive change instead.
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