Rhetoric that divides

Wokeness

Despite the use of woke as a pejorative, being woke is a good thing. 

Woke is now defined as “aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice),” and identified as U.S. slang. It originated in African American English and gained more widespread use beginning in 2014 as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.

When Ron DeSantis says, "This is where woke goes to die," does he mean Florida is the home of racism, fear, and hate? A place where our history is not taught? A place where we have second class citizens? A place where homiphobia is commonplace and encoraged? A place where children are taught what to think, not how to think? A place where only people with the right connections can get a fair shake? A place where white priviledge is guaranteed?

Racist and Discriminatory Policies

A Stamford pysychologist has identified Seven Factors that contribute to American racism. According to the psycologist, Steven O. Roberts, of the seven factors the researchers identified, perhaps the most insidious is passivism or passive racism, which includes an apathy toward systems of racial advantage or denial that those systems even exist. "After examining research on racism from psychology, the social sciences and the humanities, the researchers argue that American racism systematically advantages White Americans and disadvantages Americans of color – but that it does not have to." It all starts with awareness. That's the opposite of the positions taken by legislators and governors in 44 states, most notably in Florida, Texas and Arkansas. They prefer awareness of racism be suppressed. This includes students with advanced education, starting with advanced placement classes through univeristy cirricula.

What will grow in the place of "woke" if principles like diversity, equity, and inclusion are pulled out of the white rose garden by their roots? We'll be left with a society where diversity will be viewed as problematic, where companies and schools no longer attempt to provide equitable opportunities to their employees and students, and where exclusionary tactics replace inclusion. Racially Restrictive Covenants were once used to prohibit "Black people from moving into specific homes and often entire communities." While these covenants are no longer legally enforceable, the racist language that remains in some of the deeds of American homes serves as a painful reminder of what exclusion looks like in action. -Allison Wiltz

What Can Be Done?

Become active! Learn! Act!

Mei Cobb's blog on The United Way site came up with eight actions we can take to inspire change.

1. Register to vote and help others do the same.
2. Examine and correct your own biases.
3. Have conversations about race.
4. Read to understand the history and impact of racism.
5. Support anti-racism organizations.
6. Advocate for laws that dismantle barriers to economic opportunity.
7. Volunteer to improve the health, education, and financial stability of people living in poverty.
8. Use your influence within your workplace and other organizations to address racial inequity.
9. I would add another. Never give up.