Being Woke in 2017 vs. Being Woke in 2016
Or What House Republicans Taught Me About Vigilance…
No matter what language nerds may think about the word “woke” in its present incarnation, it has managed to maneuver its way into the cultural lexicon and everyday conversations of many Americans. It became a declaration and an order to be “vigilant” before it became a punchline. It remains the former, there is no mistaking that. It’s just that the meaning and context will take on a new understanding (and sense of urgency) in 2017 as Trump and his Injustice League take the reins of the nation.
Several nights ago, we learned that House Republicans tried to gut the Office of Congressional Ethics while most of us weren’t looking. I mean, seriously, they pulled the stunt when most everyone was home, and we weren’t paying attention. Well, not everyone. The press — you know, the bad guys according to Trump — discovered the Republicans’ incredibly shady move and sounded the alarm by reporting the devious act. After a backlash that lasted all night and well into this morning, the bill to hobble the independent ethics office was scrapped faster than it took Trump to renege on his promises.
To say social media made it possible to spread awareness about what was going on while most of the country was getting ready for bed would be an understatement. We were able to stop this because at least one person was vigilant. One person was woke who was then able to raise awareness about one of many subversive acts we can expect from this point on.
Being woke in 2017 (and for the unforeseeable future) will mean more than just a mild awareness of the social injustice du jour. It will mean more than milquetoast affirmations of allegiance or clever catchphrases. It will require the person on the receiving end of that command to be vigilant to a fault. Being woke will not only require that we be knowledgeable, but hyperaware of what is going on in our country, history, and paying close attention to the most minute details. This will be in addition to what being woke currently means and entails.
I say this because when the House Republicans approve a provision allowing “committee staff to haul private citizens and government officials to Capitol Hill to be questioned under oath — without any lawmakers present,” my interest (and concern) is piqued. This happened right under all of our noses and that troubles me. The only thing that troubles me more is that it was even approved. This is on top of the horror that more Americans aren’t raising hell about this.
Americans tend to lull themselves into a false sense of security about their rights and freedoms in this country. Add a perverse history of authoritarianism in the mix, and most citizens are ripe for the taking. I mean that literally. One comment taken the wrong way could land you in the unfortunate position of being questioned under oath.
I think the days where we consider being woke nothing more than a mild passion for change or a screed of clever tweets ripe for retweeting are over. I think it is advice that we should all take — especially if you’re not liberal, but also not mindless and unthinking either — and apply to our daily routines. Is there rising anti-Semitism at your workplace? Is your neighbor speaking more derisively about the Muslim family that moved in two houses down? Do you note hostility towards others, especially marginalized groups based on their race, sexuality, gender, religion, or creed is just under the surface in your circle of friends and family? All of these things are warning signs that we all should keep in mind as the days turn into months that turn into years.
Don’t be lulled into passiveness and a false sense of security for thinking “it” can’t happen here because “it” has happened before. Stay vigilant. Stay woke.
