It’s a strange world when showing kindness, standing up for fairness, or simply acknowledging that other people deserve respect gets you labelled as “woke.”
Somehow, treating other people decently is now seen as controversial, as if caring about social issues means you’ve gone too far. The thing is, calling someone “woke” for believing in equality, compassion, and fairness usually says more about the person saying it than the one being accused. If you’ve ever been hit with the “woke” label just for actually being concerned for the people and world around you, here are some ways to respond that keep things sharp, witty, and real.
1. “So… you’re against kindness? Just checking.”
One of the easiest ways to handle this is by making them clarify exactly what they mean. If they’re using “woke” as an insult, ask them to explain what they have an issue with because, most of the time, they won’t have an actual answer. This response flips the script and makes them the ones who have to justify their stance. When someone throws out a buzzword like “woke,” they’re often trying to dismiss a conversation rather than engage with it. This forces them to take a step back and think about what they’re actually criticising. Are they really against fairness? Equality? Treating people well? More often than not, this response makes them hesitate before doubling down.
2. “Oh no, I’ve been exposed for having empathy. The horror!”
Sarcasm is your best friend here. The way some people react, you’d think having basic human decency was criminal. If caring about fairness, equality, or other people’s well-being now an issue, then what does that say about the people complaining? This response works because it highlights how ridiculous their complaint really is. Most people who call anyone “woke” are doing it to make them feel bad or embarrassed, but turning it into a joke takes away their power. It reminds them that kindness isn’t something to be ashamed of.
3. “I’d rather be ‘woke’ than asleep to reality.”
If they think being aware of social issues is a bad thing, what’s the alternative? Ignorance? Wilful blindness? This one makes them consider whether their stance is actually as strong as they think it is. By reframing “woke” as simply being informed, it puts them in an uncomfortable position because most people don’t like admitting that they’d rather ignore reality. It also shows confidence. You’re not apologising for being aware; you’re owning it. If they want to be in denial about the world, that’s on them.
4. “Mate, it’s called basic human decency. Try it sometime.”
Sometimes, a direct response is the best approach. If someone is trying to mock you for caring about other people, then maybe they need to be reminded that treating people with respect shouldn’t be a controversial concept. There’s a fine line between playfulness and calling them out, and this response walks it perfectly. It makes the point without being overly aggressive, but still makes them question why they think decency is such a bad thing.
5. “If ‘woke’ means not being a terrible person, I’ll take it.”
They’re trying to turn “woke” into an insult, but this response takes away that power by flipping the meaning. If the only thing that makes you “woke” is treating people well, then what’s the alternative? Being selfish? Cold-hearted? It makes them pause and consider what they’re actually criticising. Most of the time, this response stops the conversation in its tracks. They were hoping to offend you, but instead, you’ve confidently owned it. That’s usually not the reaction they were expecting.
6. “Wait, are you saying you don’t believe in equality?”
One of the best ways to handle this is by forcing them to clarify exactly what they have a problem with. Most of the time, people who throw around “woke” as an insult do so without any real understanding of what they’re criticising. By asking them outright, you put them on the spot. Do they really want to say that they don’t believe in fairness? Do they actually take issue with people being treated equally? It often makes them rethink their words.
7. “Caring about people isn’t political — it’s just the right thing to do.”
So many people try to turn basic kindness into some kind of political stance, but the truth is, treating other people with respect shouldn’t be about sides or ideologies; it should be about humanity. This makes it clear that what you believe in isn’t radical or extreme; it’s simply the decent thing to do. By stripping away the politics, it forces them to admit that they’re criticising something that should be universal. This can sometimes shift the conversation from defensive to reflective.
8. “If ‘woke’ means understanding the world, I’d rather be that than ignorant.”
Again, this response highlights the fact that calling someone “woke” is often just an attempt to dismiss their awareness. People who use it negatively rarely want to engage in actual discussions; they just want to avoid tough topics. By calmly stating that you’d rather be informed than ignorant, you’re making it clear that you’re confident in your views. If they still take issue with that, it’s likely because they don’t want to acknowledge uncomfortable truths.
9. “Wow, imagine being mad at someone for caring.”
Source: Unsplash Seriously — what kind of person gets angry about someone showing empathy? This response points out how absurd their complaint actually is. Why should caring about social issues be something to criticise? It puts the pressure back on them, making them explain why they think kindness is a bad thing. And honestly, there’s no good answer to that.
10. “Tell me you don’t have an actual argument without telling me.”
Source: Unsplash Most of the time, “woke” is used as a lazy way to shut down discussions. It’s easier to throw around a buzzword than to actually engage in meaningful conversation. This one calls them out on that without needing a long-winded explanation. If they have a real argument, they should be able to articulate it. But most of the time, they won’t. They just want to dismiss you without putting in the effort.
11. “Weird way to say you’re uncomfortable with change, but okay.”
For a lot of people, calling someone “woke” is really just a way to express discomfort with progress. This response highlights that without being overly confrontational, making them reflect on why they’re so resistant to certain ideas. Some people will double down, but others might actually stop and think about whether their frustration is actually about the issue itself — or their own discomfort with change.
12. “If being kind is ‘woke,’ then what does that make you?”
Source: Unsplash Forcing them to think about the alternative is always a strong move. If they don’t like “woke” values, what are they supporting instead? This makes them confront their own stance. Most people don’t like the idea of openly admitting that they’re against kindness, fairness, or respect. By framing it this way, you make them reconsider their words.
13. “Cool story. Anyway, back to being a decent human.”
Source: Unsplash Sometimes, the best response is to not engage with their negativity at all. If someone is calling you “woke” just to get a rise out of you, refusing to take the bait is often the best move. This response is casual, dismissive, and lets them know their comment isn’t worth your time. When you don’t react the way they expect, it throws them off. They want you to get defensive, to argue, or to backtrack — but instead, you’re brushing it off like it’s not even a real criticism. And honestly, it’s not.
14. “Sounds like you’re just upset that people expect better now.”
Source: Unsplash One of the reasons people complain about “woke culture” is because they don’t like being held accountable. Whether it’s about outdated beliefs, unfair treatment, or harmful behaviour, the world is moving forward, and some people don’t want to evolve with it. This highlights that truth. They’re not really angry at you; they’re frustrated that things they used to get away with aren’t acceptable anymore. Maybe instead of complaining, they should consider why times are changing.
15. “Yeah, I care about people. What a scandal.”
Source: Unsplash At the end of the day, the best way to respond is to simply own it. If the worst thing someone can say about you is that you care about fairness, kindness, and treating people with respect, that’s not a bad thing — it’s something to be proud of. By responding like this, you’re making it clear that their insult holds no weight. You’re not embarrassed. You’re not defensive. You’re standing by your values, and if they have a problem with that? That’s entirely on them.
Why people throw around the word “woke” as an insult
Source: Unsplash At this point, “woke” has lost all real meaning. It used to refer to being socially aware, particularly about racial and social justice issues. Now, it’s been twisted into an insult used against anything that challenges outdated views or asks people to be more thoughtful about their words and actions. Most of the time, when someone complains about “woke culture,” what they’re really saying is: “I don’t like being challenged on things I’ve always assumed were fine.” They want to dismiss conversations about fairness and inclusivity because those topics make them uncomfortable. Rather than engaging in meaningful discussions, they reduce it to a buzzword and hope that ends the conversation. The truth? The world is changing, and for the better. More people are standing up for what’s right, calling out unfairness, and refusing to accept discrimination as the norm. If that’s what being “woke” means, then maybe the real question should be: Why aren’t more people on board?
How to decide when to engage and when to walk away
Source: Unsplash Not every person who calls you “woke” is worth responding to. Some people are open to discussion, while others just want to argue. Knowing the difference can save you a lot of energy. If someone is genuinely curious about your views and open to a conversation, it might be worth explaining your perspective. But if they’re just looking to wind you up? A quick, confident response — or ignoring them entirely — is usually the best choice. At the end of the day, standing by your values is more important than convincing every single person to agree with you. Some will get it. Some won’t. But either way, never let someone make you feel bad for caring. That’s not something to apologise for; it’s something to own.
