Originally (African American Vernacular English, mid-1900s): Woke meant being awake and aware, especially about social and racial injustice. For example, someone who understood systemic racism or inequality might be described as “staying woke.”
Modern positive use: Still used by some to mean being socially conscious, aware of inequality, and supportive of justice (race, gender, LGBTQ+, environment, etc.).
Modern negative/critical use: In politics and media, some people use woke as a derogatory label for what they see as overly progressive or performative activism—like focusing too much on identity politics or being “too politically correct.”
