Woke or Wake?

Merriam Webster – Definition of Woke:  Aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).

“Woke” became part of a wider discussion in 2014, immediately following the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.  The word “woke” became entwined with the Black Lives Matter movement; instead of just being a word that signaled awareness of injustice or racial tension, it became a word of action.  Activists were woke and called on others to stay woke.

Slang Dictionary (dictionary.com) – What does ‘woke’ mean?  Woke means being conscious of racial discrimination in society and other forms of oppression and injustice. In mainstream use, woke can also more generally describe someone or something as being “with it.”

TheSun.co.uk – What does ‘woke’ mean?  According to the Oxford English Dictionary “woke” is defined as: “Originally: well-informed, up-to-date. Now chiefly: alert to racial or social discrimination and injustice.”

The Free Dictionary – Woke:  Aware of the injustice of the social system in which one lives.

PK – maybe WAKE is the call.  My definition of ‘wake’:  being “with it” as to the justice and racial and social advances we have made over the past decades and are being made in these days while not ignorant to what is yet to be done and rejoicing in both our status and our advancements and calling others to grasp our blessings and be thankful as well.

What a special country we live in that has a system of courts that give those abused and sinned against a means to seek justice.  What other countries had such a great system of justice before we did?  And now many have modeled similar systems in their countries.  Why?  Because we have a good and great system!  We are a country of justice  Using the justice system, issues of discrimination can be addressed and most often either removed or at least diminished.

And social justice.  There are many of all ethnic ilks who sit in places of power, have great holdings, and are looked to as leaders and examples by peoples of all ethnic groups (Dr. Ben Carson).  For the minorities, they have many avenues for advancement and many have used them.  Most often they (any peoples) are only held back by their own will.  Racism is often charged and sometimes justifiable but most often it is only an excuse or a coveting.

Have we arrived in all social aspects, oppression, racism, and wrong discrimination?  No!   Remember, we are in pursuit of a “more perfect union”.  We need to see those discriminated against, oppressed and suffering unjustly and come to their defense (James 1:27).  We need to be at work and stay at work to right the pieces of wrong that we still hold or those that come to our attention.

But, rather than just being only ‘woke’ to the areas needing attention, we ought to also note the many good advances we have made and find reason to be thankful.  We ought to ‘wake’ to the blessings we live under and ‘wake’ to the justice that exists and is available and strive to maintain them.

Come on, people, let’s ‘wake’!

Micah 6:8, He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?