Jul 19, 2023 · One word has become unavoidable on the campaign trail — woke. But what does it really mean and where does it come from? The word has a long and serious history in Black culture.

Sep 30, 2025 · The term “woke” originated in Black culture as awareness about racism and injustice, with roots traced to Marcus Garvey in 1923. Artists like Erykah Badu revived the term in the 2000s, …

4 days ago · You have heard the word “woke” before. Perhaps out of the mouth of a particularly vocal politician, or from your younger cousin. But for a word that gets tossed around constantly, it’s ...

Woke is an adjective derived from African-American English used since the 1930s or earlier to refer to awareness of racial prejudice and discrimination, often in the construction stay woke. The term …

The expression ‘stay woke’ started out as an affirmation for African Americans. In the past decade it has been used by Republicans — and some Democrats — as a pejorative for people thought to be too …

Over time, woke came to be used to refer to a broader awareness of social inequalities such as sexism and denial of LGBTQ rights. Woke has also been used as shorthand for some ideas of the American …

Aug 8, 2024 · It was first used by Pan-African activist Marcus Garvey as early as 1923. "Woke" was meant to acknowledge the struggles of African Americans and a word of empowerment for some …

Mar 7, 2023 · “Woke” began in Black vernacular as a warning to be wary of racism. It was adopted by liberal social justice advocates during the Black Lives Matter and Me Too movements in 2020. But...

Sep 30, 2025 · “Woke” has come up in cultural and political firestorms. Eight months into his second term, President Donald Trump pledged to review content at the Smithsonian Institution for being …

Jun 6, 2023 · Conservative politicians and pundits have co-opted “woke,” a term that originally meant to stay aware of racial injustice.