The word “woke” is popular in certain circles today. In her speech after the State of the Union address, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders framed “woke-ism” as a threat to traditional social values and cohesion. A dystopian future awaits if we don’t stop “woke” policies now, she seemed to say. Wow!

Woke is better known as the past tense of wake. I woke up this morning feeling awake, conscious, aware and ready to engage in the day ahead.

I take issue with Sanders’ framing of this common word. I view “woke” people as awake to the diversity and beauty of humanity in all its colors, cultures, and individual permutations; as conscious of differences in privilege and associated ramifications for others; as aware of the challenges to life and wellness on this tiny and limited planet, and as willing to engage in dialogue and advocacy for acceptance, inclusion and equity.

There’s nothing dystopian about being “woke” in this framing. So, call me woke. I will take it as a compliment.

Tom Meuser
Portland