The term “woke,” meaning to be aware and attentive, especially to issues of racial and social justice, has a rich history in Black culture. Its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century when “stay woke” was used as an in-group signal for Black people to be aware of systems that harm them. This phrase gained further traction with musicians.
The term “woke,” meaning to be aware and attentive, especially to issues of racial and social justice, has a rich history in Black culture. Its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century when “stay woke” was used as an in-group signal for Black people to be aware of systems that harm them. This phrase gained further traction with musicians.