We have all said at least once #Staywoke. It’s in our music, on social media, movies, it has even been added to our dictionary. But do we know what it means?

 

Urban Dictionary defines "woke" as being aware, and "knowing what's going on in the community." It also mentions its specific ties to racism and social injustice. To use "woke" accurately in a sentence, one that captures its connotations and nuances, you'd need to reference someone who is thinking for themselves, who sees how racism, sexism, and classism affect how we live our lives on a daily basis.

 

While the spiritual community defines wokeness as, recognizing with your whole being your connection to everyone and everything around you. Remembering that we have always been connected with the oneness of the universe.  This helps us recognize how the mistreatment of others is no different than cutting off your left hand or to poke out one of your eyes.

 

With the rise of the term woke also comes woke trendiness. Erykah Badu first used the word in 08, and most recently  Childish Gambino’s “Redbone” popularized it, even more, giving us the catchy line “stay woke” that served in the backdrop of Jordan Peele’s “Get Out.”  Leaving us to question...

 Who is really WOKE?!