# Is it Time to Tone Down the Wokeness, Especially about the Past? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 15, 2024, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287 "2024-11-15T15:14:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 28
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/563 "2024-11-27T22:56:03Z")
> [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1011921/13): > > The inability to accept not everyone agrees with me. Oh, you don’t mean conservative Christians do you? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/565 "2024-11-27T22:57:29Z")
> [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1011921/15): > > The left isn’t woke!! The Right is woke! It’s not my fault if you used a definition that fits the Right better. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/566 "2024-11-27T22:57:49Z")
That would be “the inability to accept that not everyone _is exactly like_ me,” and you’d be correct. I’d like to delineate between Christians and today’s Republican Party, but _they_ would need to execute that bifurcation _first._ ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/567 "2024-11-27T22:58:54Z")
Umm the “me” in that sentence in third person. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/568 "2024-11-27T23:07:41Z")
> [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1011921/14): > > Woke definition #2: no I don’t like woke definition #1 so I will call it invalid and demand a new one. …I’ll take the dictionary definition of woke, which is “_[aware](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woke) of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues_ (especially issues of racial and social justice)” Do you agree or disagree with that definition and if you disagree with it…why? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/569 "2024-11-27T23:10:25Z")
The Republicans are actually arguing _against_ this?? ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/571 "2024-11-27T23:11:39Z")
…this is the definition. I just defined it. What is confusing? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/572 "2024-11-27T23:13:30Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The Republicans are actually arguing _against_ this?? These are the same people who [argue against critical thinking](https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/texas-gop-rejects-critical-thinking-skills-really/2012/07/08/gJQAHNpFXW_blog.html). “Ignorance is strength” and all that. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/574 "2024-11-27T23:14:19Z")
And yet you have come out against it and then defined it twice. Please pick a lane. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/576 "2024-11-27T23:17:22Z")
That depends. Do you still want us to step back from being “woke”? ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/577 "2024-11-27T23:18:35Z")
So, should we stop being aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues? Not that the right can stop since they never started. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/578 "2024-11-27T23:20:38Z")
---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/579 "2024-11-27T23:31:30Z")
Moderating: > [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1011921/12): > > Ok we are in this phase now. > [@goodkitty](#): > > Woke definition #2: no I don’t like woke definition #1 so I will call it invalid and demand a new one. > [@goodkitty](#): > > The left isn’t woke!! The Right is woke! > [@goodkitty](#): > > This is confusing because nobody wants to define it. You are new here, or I will assume for the time being that you are, and not a returning sock. If my assumptions are correct, you need to spend some time reviewing our rules for having discussions in the Great Debates forum. Here they are: > [@New Rules for Great Debates and Elections – January 2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-great-debates-and-elections-january-2020/845726): > > Moderation in Great Debates and Politics and Elections In general, Great Debates and Politics and Elections are the most contentious fora on the SDMB. Because of that, you’ll find that moderation is more active and prone to sanctioning posters. You can compare it to sitting at the holiday dinner next to the crazy uncle who can’t help being unpleasant. Please don’t be that guy. Be aware that most rules are not ‘bright line’. This is intentional on our part as we believe such encourages poor … You might also want to review our rules for all forums, here: > [@Terms of Service and FAQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terms-of-service-and-faq/823562/2): > > The first rule of the Straight Dope Message Board remains, “Don’t be a jerk”. While there are other rules covering posting behavior they derive from that one rule. Moderators in all forums are here to ensure the rules of the board and each forum are followed. Violating any of the board rules as outlined in ATMB and the various forum specific rules may result in various levels of sanctions. Context is critical when interpreting the rules and moderation will take such into account. If you suspect… Please note that the very first rule is, don’t be a jerk. There are currently 8 outstanding flags against these various posts. Being repeatedly flagged generally indicates you are being a jerk. Rather than continuing to argue for the sake of arguing, please take a breath, review the rules and provide citations for your assertions if you wish to continue your participation in this thread and on the Board. The posts I have cited above are indistinguishable from trolling. We don’t allow trolling. If you continue as you have been, your time on this Board will be short. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/580 "2024-11-27T23:32:19Z")
---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/581 "2024-11-27T23:43:55Z")
Can you find anybody on this board that want us to be “less woke” that agrees with that definition? ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/583 "2024-11-27T23:51:12Z")
The problem was not that you were outnumbered. You failed to use the quote function, accurately descrbe the content of the posts you cited, provide any evidence to back up your arguments, and only responded to many requests for you to define “woke” by repeating another poster’s definition and asking if we were okay with it. Being outnumbered does not enter into it. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2024, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/584 "2024-11-28T00:03:02Z")
Moderating: > [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1011921/20): > > Ok. I can be argumentative which I don’t think is a negative personality trait. But I was clearly outnumbered so maybe I should have dropped it. > [@DocCathode](#): > > The problem was not that you were outnumbered. You failed to use the quote function, accurately descrbe the content of the posts you cited, provide any evidence to back up your arguments, and only responded to many requests for you to define “woke” by repeating another poster’s definition and asking if we were okay with it. > > Being outnumbered does not enter into it. Well said by @DocCathode. @goodkitty, I would take these points on board. Remember also that discussion of our moderation is only allowed in the About This Message Board forum, so I wouldn’t take your discussion of it any farther in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![DaveUnknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@DaveUnknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveUnknown)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2024, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/585 "2024-11-28T03:11:51Z")
This is a great post. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2024, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/586 "2024-11-28T03:41:28Z")
Sorry, I forgot to respond to this earlier. First, thanks for your detailed and knowledgable answer to my question. Second, I am once again stunned and disillusioned. My Mom is an incurable optimist who loves all humanity. My father was a grim pessimist and misanthrope who despised all humans equally. I have tried to strike a balance between their examples. Over the years, I tended toward pessimism and viewing humanity harshly. Recent events have shown me that my view was not harsh enough. People will indeed vote against their self interest, for a man who has shown again and again how much he hates them, on the belief that he will magically improve the economy and the belief that when the leopard starts eating faces, they will be safe. Now, I learn that people who lived under the horrors of the crypto fascist government of the USSR heartily support Putin’s openly fascist rule on the grounds that ‘It will make Russia strong and important again’. At this time, I do not know if I have any hope left for humanity. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2024, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287/587 "2024-11-28T09:56:12Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > I were American I would have voted for her because the alternative was Trump, but I 100% think she would have governed in a ‘woke’ way and institutionalised Social Justice ideas to a greater extent than Biden did. It’s obvious the move to the centre in her campaign was just to attract voters, there’s no conviction there. I agree. I am not american but would have voted similarly in case I were. But this is what I heard from a significant number of voters in my social circle (basically family and friends). Some basically were converts from D to R in this election on just 2 issues…inflation and border. Their biggest issue was they didn’t have confidence in Kamala to govern from the centre and feared she would pivot to the left once she is in power (as Biden did in their view). Her statement in an interview (which the republicans played up to their advantage) that there is not a thing she would change from the Biden policies reinforced their fears. That made them jump ship to voting R (in their own words). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-tone-down-the-wokeness-especially-about-the-past/1010287.md?page=29)