RACISM IN AMERICAN POLITICS

Why "Woke" is Often Treated as a Racist Slur in Project 2025

Dr. Allison Wiltz
Momentum

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A woman holding a blank signboard | Photo by fauxels via Pexels

Woke was never born to be a slur. Indeed, this term began as a rallying cry within the black community to raise awareness about the deadening status quo of racial injustice. And yet, White political operatives have twisted the term into something unrecognizable, a racial slur they use to berate Black people and oppose their social advancement. Conservatives are hoping they can hide this reality under layers of jargon. However, a careful read reveals their mandate threatens civil rights protections and access to educational opportunities. And Americans should be aware of the true nature of the conservative agenda, as outlined in Project 2025.

The word "woke" is mentioned 35 times in Project 2025, the mandate for conservative leadership, signifying a clear fixation on this terminology. In lieu of outwardly opposing Black people's liberties, they've used the term as a proxy for their racism. While members of white domestic terrorist groups, like the Ku Klux Klan, once wore white hoods to obscure their identity, members of the modern-day right-wing movement use the term "woke" to mask their intentions, allowing them to perpetuate the racial hierarchy in broad daylight. According to the authors, America endured a "Great Awokening," which placed the "moral functions of our…

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Momentum
Momentum

Published in Momentum

Momentum is a blog that captures and reflects the moment we find ourselves in, one where rampant anti-Black racism is leading to violence, trauma, protest, reflection, sorrow, and more. Momentum doesn’t look away when the news cycle shifts.

Dr. Allison Wiltz
Dr. Allison Wiltz

Written by Dr. Allison Wiltz

Black womanist scholar with a PhD from New Orleans, LA with bylines in Oprah Daily, Momentum, ZORA, Cultured. #WEOC Founder

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