When someone calls you “woke”, the meaning can change depending on who says it and how they mean it — because the term has evolved a lot over time.

Here’s a breakdown:

🌱 Original meaning (positive)

• “Woke” originally came from African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and simply meant being awake or aware — especially about social injustices like racism, sexism, and inequality.
• To be “woke” meant you were socially conscious, informed, and not asleep to the realities of oppression.
  • Example: “Stay woke” — be aware of what’s really going on.

⚖️ Modern use (mixed or political)

• Over time, the word spread into mainstream culture, especially on social media.
• Many people still use it positively, to describe someone who is empathetic, informed, and stands up for equality.

🔥 Criticism and sarcasm (negative use)

• Some people now use “woke” mockingly or negatively, to imply that someone is:
  • Overly politically correct
  • Virtue-signaling (performing awareness for attention)
  • Obsessed with identity politics
• In this sense, calling someone “woke” can be meant as an insult, suggesting they’re naive, self-righteous, or extreme in their views.

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🧠 Psychological and cultural perspective

Being called “woke” today reflects a culture clash:

• On one side: people who value awareness, inclusion, and justice.
• On the other: people who see that as overreach or moral policing.

Essentially, it’s no longer just about awareness — it’s about how people feel about awareness itself.