What is woke? Why people are questioning its role in White House race

In the wake of Donald Trump’s decisive victory over Kamala Harris, some are questioning if so-called “woke” culture could be to blame for the Vice President’s defeat.
But, what is woke culture and what does it mean?
The term “woke” has shifted from its original meaning of being alert or conscious, especially to social issues. It became a call to action during the Black Lives Matter movement several years ago.
Over time, though, it has taken on broader political significance and has been attached to several left-leaning movements and causes.
President-elect Donald Trump and his surrogates have routinely taken aim at the woke movement, painting it as misguided social righteousness.
Over decades, “woke” grew as a call to recognize issues like police brutality and systemic racism, especially during movements like Black Lives Matter.
More recently, however, the term has gained negative connotations. According to Merriam-Webster, “woke” is sometimes seen as synonymous with extreme political liberalism. The term has expanded into phrases like “wokeness,” “wokeism,” and “woke ideology,” often criticized by conservatives who see it as a divisive influence in areas like workforce diversity, public schools, and legislation.
Early in the White House race,a resurfaced 2017 clip of Kamala Harris saying “everybody needs to be woke”reignited debates on the term.
Now, some within the Democratic Party are reportedly considering whether moving away from “woke” rhetoric might be the smarter play.
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist covering trending issues for the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.