The AAVE meaning of the word woke differs from what most conservative-minded people think. The AAVE meaning of the word woke simply means to pay attention. Pay attention to your surroundings, what you are being taught, and especially to information not given to you. Maybe it's me, but whenever I hear a conservative person say woke, it always gives me pause, if you know what I mean.

Jefferson Franklin Long was a politician that was woke and understood simple common sense logic. My interpretation of what he was saying is, "Don't let these snakes back in the chicken coop."  Yet the U.S. government failed to follow common sense and instead traveled down a road that would ultimately lead to disaster again.

In 1988 the movie School Daze premiered. At the movie's end, a young Laurence Fishburne broke the fourth wall and told the audience to Wake Up! I submit that they want you asleep (not paying attention), and you should, please, wake up.

In 1869 Jefferson Franklin Long was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. In
addition to being the first Black person elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
from the state of Georgia, he was also the second Black person elected to the U.S.
Congress. Long served the shortest term of an African American member, just three
months. But, when he spoke on the House of Representatives floor on February 1, 1871, he became the first African American to do.

Support the show