Knowing Your Triggers VIII

 

Recent exchanges with friends of good will have revealed a bit of alarm among them about "woke." 

They are troubled by the glee GOPers show while beating their opponents about the head and shoulders with the term.

As one who is more studied in the transitory nature of language -- and familiar with the mocking of schoolyard bullies, which the Trumpers are for the most part -- I won't yield the right-of-way to folks wanting to commandeer "woke" and its derivations.  

I like the term, even though it's not that rich or elegant. It "struts," while "aware" saunters. And I understand, too, that like other matters of fashion, it will soon be replaced by something else. 

I also detect a readiness on the part of some friends to concede that GOPers are right to claim many actions or opinions of the woke "gazpacho" are not really matters of social justice. This is most certainly true, and not a hill worth defending. 

But I also realize that just because Republicans charge that something is "woke" or wrong-headed does not make it either -- despite GOPers mastery of wrong-headedness.

I do urge my friends against too quickly throwing in the towel, especially if they are of a hue and gender that can more easily navigate treacherous anti-woke waters by simply remaining silent.