Few words have been debated, misused, and twisted as much as “woke.”
What started as a term with a clear meaning has since been hijacked, politicised, and turned into an insult by some while being embraced by others. Depending on who you ask, being “woke” is either a sign of awareness and empathy or a label for over-the-top, performative activism. But what does it actually mean? If you’re a bit confused, here’s a breakdown of what “woke” really stands for — and what it absolutely does not.
1. Yes: Being aware of social issues
At its core, “woke” simply means being informed about important social issues — things like racism, sexism, and inequality. It’s about recognising injustices that exist in the world, rather than pretending everything is fine. It doesn’t mean you have to agree with every movement or cause, but it does mean acknowledging that discrimination and bias exist rather than ignoring them.
2. No: Being offended by everything
Some people think being woke means getting outraged over every little thing, but that’s not true. Being aware of social issues doesn’t mean constantly looking for reasons to be upset. It’s about understanding larger patterns of injustice, not nitpicking every single word or action. While some people do take things to extremes, that’s not what being truly woke is about.
3. Yes: Listening to different perspectives
Being woke isn’t about shutting people down — it’s about being open to learning from experiences outside your own. It means recognising that your personal perspective isn’t the only valid one. Instead of dismissing other people’s struggles just because you haven’t experienced them, it means listening, asking questions, and trying to understand different viewpoints.
4. No: Thinking you’re better than everyone else
Some critics argue that being woke means acting morally superior, but that’s a misunderstanding. Being aware of social issues doesn’t mean believing you’re better than those who aren’t as informed. It’s about learning and growing, not looking down on people. True awareness comes with humility, not arrogance.
5. Yes: Understanding historical context
Wokeness is often tied to recognising historical injustices and how they still affect people today. Whether it’s colonialism, systemic racism, or gender inequality, being woke means acknowledging that history didn’t just end — it shaped the world we live in now. That doesn’t mean blaming modern people for past actions, but it does mean understanding how the past has influenced today’s systems and opportunities.
6. No: Cancelling everyone who makes a mistake
Being woke doesn’t exist to try to “cancel” everyone for minor mistakes or past actions. It’s about accountability, not perfection. People grow, change, and learn over time. Being truly aware means allowing room for those conversations and encouraging learning rather than immediately writing people off.
7. Yes: Recognising privilege and bias
Privilege doesn’t mean your life is easy; it just means certain struggles might not apply to you. Being woke is about understanding how race, gender, class, or other factors impact people’s experiences differently. It doesn’t exist to make you feel guilty; it’s more important to be aware of how systems work and using that awareness to create fairer opportunities for everyone.
8. No: Hating your own background
Some people misinterpret wokeness as self-hatred — thinking that if you acknowledge privilege, you must dislike where you come from. But that’s not the case. You can appreciate your own culture, identity, and history while also recognising areas where things need to improve. It’s about balance, not rejecting who you are.
9. Yes: Holding institutions accountable
Being woke often involves questioning systems and institutions that have historically benefited some groups while disadvantaging others. Whether it’s government policies, business practices, or educational structures, awareness leads to advocating for better, fairer systems. That doesn’t mean tearing everything down; it means pushing for improvements that benefit more people, not just a select few.
10. No: Destroying traditions for no reason
Some people think wokeness means wanting to get rid of traditions just for the sake of change. But most people who advocate for social awareness aren’t trying to erase history; they’re trying to make space for everyone to be included in it. Updating traditions to be more inclusive doesn’t mean eliminating them; it just means making sure they reflect modern values and respect all people involved.
11. Yes: Supporting fairness, not just personal interests
Wokeness isn’t just about fighting for causes that affect you directly; it’s about supporting fairness, even when you’re not the one impacted. It’s easy to care about an issue when it affects you personally, but true awareness means standing up for others, too. That could mean supporting disability rights even if you’re not disabled, advocating for fair pay even if you’re financially secure, or recognising discrimination even if you don’t experience it yourself.
12. No: Being extreme or inflexible
There’s a difference between being aware and being unwilling to hear any other perspective. True wokeness includes open discussions and recognising that not every issue is black and white. People who refuse to engage in dialogue or demand that everyone agrees with them 100% of the time aren’t truly “woke” — they’re just inflexible. Growth happens through conversation, not shutting people down.
13. Yes: Standing up for what’s right, even when it’s hard
Real awareness isn’t always easy. It sometimes means having difficult conversations, challenging unfair systems, or speaking up when it’s uncomfortable. Being woke has nothing to do with following trends; it’s more focused on genuinely caring about issues and making an effort to contribute to positive change, even when it’s inconvenient.
14. No: Being politically one-sided
While wokeness is often associated with certain political views, it’s not tied to any one political party. People from all walks of life can recognise injustice and push for fairness, regardless of their personal affiliations. Being socially aware doesn’t require you to pick a side; it simply encourages understanding issues deeply enough to form your own perspective, beyond what any political group tells you to believe.
15. Yes: Leading with empathy
At the end of the day, being woke is centred on empathy — understanding other people’s experiences and caring enough to want a fairer, more inclusive world. It doesn’t mean being perfect or knowing everything. It’s more important to be willing to listen, learn, and grow. True wokeness has nothing to do with labels; it’s about making the world a better place, one step at a time.
