DEFINING WOKISM
The term "woke" is being used to promote hate and division, yet it is a relevant term that describes the current state of America. There is nothing wrong with the word "woke" or what it represents. The word itself literally means to be "awake" or "aware." When you are sleeping at night, you are unaware of what is happening because you are asleep, the exact opposite of being awake. A lot of us are dead men walking; asleep about the truth and facts about the world we live in.
Racism is something people are still sleeping on. They are unaware of its historic impact which is why they have difficulty explaining it today. Sometimes people pretend as if they do not understand, in an effort to camouflage the truth, so that they can avoid being accountable. This is one reason why the term "woke" is being demonized. The more people become aware of something, the more likely they are to respond to it. Those who have power and control do not like this because it shines a light on the repeated grift. Therefore, to avoid being accountable, they would rather convince themselves and others, that awareness is somehow wrong. This is a classic bait and switch tactic used to manipulate people...distorting the truth.
RACIST Origins
Over the weekend, there was a hate filled tragedy in Jacksonville, Fl. Innocent black people lost their lives for no reason other than being black. In much of the coverage, I have seen people say, that they are surprised such racist attacks still exist in 2023. Really? Racism began back in the early 1800's and black folks were enslaved right up to the end of the civil war in 1865. Even though the civil war ended slavery, it did not end racism, particularly within the education and corporate environments. Black people continued to be discriminated against when seeking job, learning and business opportunities. It was almost a hundred years later when The Civils Rights Act was passed, that made it illegal to disenfranchise minorities and women, a mere 59 years ago. Some of us know people who are alive today, who lived to witness such atrocities. Like anything else, racism began with a thought. It is a mindset. Laws against racism only deter people from participating in hateful rhetoric in specific environments; and encourages them to move differently. It does not however, change how folk feel in their head and heart.
RACISM TODAY
The truth is racism is alive and well in the United States and beyond. Ajike "AJ" Owens was shot and killed, after knocking on a white woman's door. Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed after running through a white neighborhood. The people who shot him thought because he was running, he was a criminal, so they hunted him down, shot and killed him. Two Tennessee law makers were expelled from the Tennessee House of Representatives for "disorderly conduct" when they protested against gun violence. Their white counterpart who also participated in the protest was not expelled. Elijah McCain was violently detained by police after walking down the street from a store, when someone reported him as "sketchy". He died as a result of his injuries. A Chicago seventh grader was shot in the back, despite having his hands up and being unarmed. The police shot him anyway. The Chicago Police Department was investigated by the Department of Justice, who found that the department repeatedly engaged in illegal racial practices. Chicago, along with a dozen other police departments are now under federal watch. Florida, Arkansas, North Dakota, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia have all outlawed African American studies that teach about racism. These are only a handful of recent examples of racism, or racist behavior that continues to target the black community.
SOLUTIONS
Personally, I do not think racism, or prejudicialness will ever be eradicated in the United States, despite the progress that has been made. We are in 2023 and there still has never been:
A Black Sports Commissioner
A Black Scientist to win the Nobel prize
A Black female Governor
A Black female President
There will forever be people who will despise and mistreat others for the color of their skin irrespective of the advancements made. Even though The Civils Rights movement created opportunities for blacks, our freedoms are still relatively new when considering the larger picture. Racism has existed for thousands of years here in the USA. The key to making the world a better, safer place for minorities is to educate people and arm them with the truth regarding race. Pretending as if racism is a thing of the past is not only harmful it is also untrue. When will we "wake up" and be honest with ourselves about these uncomfortable truths? The Truth is the only defense to lies.
In the words of Al Sharpton:
Not every white person is racist. And not every black person is no good...
Thanks for reading!
RDW
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