Words are powerful and we should learn to master them for the benefit of the world. When I ran the “bully” series on this blog I’d get private messages that said, “Words are just words. They don’t harm. Only actions harm.”

Words aren’t “just words.” They shape how we think, how we act, and what we believe is possible.

So I want to talk about the word “woke” because social media and politics caused a lightening speed pejorative semantic shift that we dont often get to see happen right before our eyes. Sometimes it takes decades or generations for these types of shifts to happen.

It’s one of those words I don’t use because it doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone. It’s a word that clouds conversation and because it was used in situations that abused its true meaning… it became a word easily weaponized.

The word “woke” at its root simply means being awake to injustice, choosing empathy, and caring about fairness. That’s it.

Over time the word got twisted into an insult. The left unintentionally set the stage by stretching the word beyond its original meaning (in marketing, by virtue signaling, and/or using it as a shorthand word for “morally superior”.) The right capitalized on that by turning it into a punchline. A powerful word that once called people to awareness now often sparks division instead.

I don’t use it because now it’s used to stir fear and fuel division. I have no use for words that turn compassion into a weapon.

I will use my words, sentences, and paragraphs to stay awake to the struggles of others. I will choose to care in the ways I know how and can.

Words do indeed matter so ask yourself when you write or speak what your intentions are because they bring actions to life.

BE MY EYES: A colorful pastel drawing I did of a butterfly