Awake

There are two types of people these days… You can either be Awake… Or you can be Woke.

On the surface this seems like a generational difference in the way that newer generations will always come up with new phrases and sayings that stimulate the zeitgeist.

Woke is one of those terms.

When this term Woke first awoke it was meant to identify someone who is part of the tribe that cares the most of a given subject. This term has been used so frequently to describe how aware one is to the trials of people therefore is used to virtue signal. Like a secret handshake or password the term woke has become as loaded as Karen has become for outrageous people who scream in public at others.

I can already hear some of you, “You can’t generalize those of us making a difference under the guise of woke. The word woke allows us to get our message out because of its common use.” -Random Do-gooder

I get it, not all people who claim to be woke are the types to Karen out about their passionate subject.

But!

Those who do the outraging for clout, attention or to echo chamber their beliefs are often the loudest in any social platform. This thereby tarnishes the good the people in a similar group can do.

I will speak from experience as a “white,” this may be the transparent pigment of my largest organ, but this only dictates how long I can be outside without a shirt or sunscreen not my view on racial fairness. I won’t dive into this specific topic here as I think the best way to have dialog about race is in person.

None the less woke has become synonymous with whacky fools screaming about nonsense.

To me using a term that is grammatically weak like woke takes the power from the word awoken. The term awoken describes one who has just become awake from sleeping. Maybe Im just outside the generational bubble I described above, but to me being Awake is far more powerful of a term. Woke sounds like someone is hungover once they have awoken and they couldn’t quite get the full word out in their stupor.

Awake is straight forward. It implies that one is either awake or asleep. The binary of it keeps the stance simple and clear. Yes or No kind of determination. I find that when those are able to be concise and direct with their thoughts, those thoughts are more accuratley received.

“R is among one of the most menacing sounds. That’s why they call it murder not “muckduck!” -Dwight Schrute

I find this The Office quote to be fitting as the vibe behind it speaks of these generational or creative differences in communication. Dwight makes the point that the letter R in murder is what makes the word more menacing. Just like the deconstructed word woke Dwight may agree that awake is far more powerful and definitive. Ron Swanson would also agree (you know if you know).

Yes I know I sound like an old man… Awesome! I would hope so. Becoming older means you are winning at minimum in perseverance. Therefore the wisdom is there somewhere.

What I have noticed in life is that the more direct and patient I am with my words the more ears will listen. Speaking from places where new acronyms and phrases are indoctrinated into a subgroup separates that group from others. The way we bridge groups is how we always have…

Communication.

We talk, we listen, we understand and compromise for each other. That is a healthy relationship.

There is a group though that can often blur the lines of directness and create understanding; they are artists. For this post I want to focus on rappers, but not just any rappers…

Lyricists.

Either by using spoken word poetry or spitting bars as they flow and stack them along a song; these word smiths can create new ways of speaking that we all accept.

Music and poetry is a pathway we can say and speak about anything we want. As long as the words flow many will listen. The rhythmic nature of music and poetry is something that is built into us all. Find someone who hates music. I bet you will have a hard time doing so. Even the deaf can feel the sound.

What’s my point with all this? Be aware of what you are saying. Notice who you are speaking to. Realize what intention are you trying to convey. Understand not everyone will use the same words you do, but I promise if you listen well enough common ground can always be found.