By Taylor Pearce (UK Constitution and Ideology Correspondent)
Edited by Sophie Brown (Social Affairs Editor)
Throughout the current Conservative Party leadership debates both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have vowed to tackle wokeness. One thing Liz Truss has doubled down on recently is to rid the ‘woke culture’ from the Civil Service. Rishi Sunak made promises to take on the “lefty woke culture that seems to want to cancel our history, our values, and our women." Both of these claims really raise a set of pertinent questions that need to be asked. What is ‘wokeness’? Where did it come from? And, will these ‘pledges’ affect people positively?
Wokeness; ‘being woke’; and woke culture are terms that are being ping-ponged around the political arena recently, but, where does this term actually come from? It originates from Black American slang culture, deriving from the word ‘awake’, and being ‘awake’ to the inequalities of society. However, in recent years, woke has been turned upon those who identify with it. The right wing propaganda from the Sun who claim the “Woke Generation Know Nothing of the World''; the Daily Mail calling woke people full of nonsense; and GB News regularly insulting woke ideals, all use their platforms to promote the right wing view of woke culture, to incite up fear and anger towards the woke ideology. To do this these newspapers use the term “WOKE” as an insulting adjective to help spiral the hate surrounding the term already, inevitably fuelling “culture wars." It is these newspapers that allow politicians to use the bingo card phrases: “keep women as women”; “marriage is a sacred male and female institution”; “history should be taught by the victors”; or “true patriots shouldn’t protest issues."
However, that isn’t Woke Culture.
Wokeness actually has roots in the 1700’s in Jeremy Bentham’s Utilitarianism.
This theory was developed by Bentham to help discussions around who should be able to vote, as well as working class rights and women’s rights. Utilitarianism, in basic terms, consists of three theories. Firstly, happiness and what provides happiness is the only materialistic provision that matters in society; secondly, the most moral and correct action a person can take is one that provides the most happiness to themselves and others; lastly, everyone's happiness is equal, no one person's happiness outweighs another. This means that Bentham believed the state should act in a manner that provides the greatest happiness to the greatest number of people. This theory is a foundation to many modern ideologies and books, from Karl Marx to Ayn Rand.
Most ideologies in history have a foundation of utilitarianism. But, like some philosophers have discussed, utilitarianism has its flaws. The main flaw being the minority is often neglected from the overall picture and some use utilitarianism as a means to act selfishly, creating a two part society: a “them and us”, the poor and rich, fortunate and unfortunate.
So, a social justice theory was developed and, later, pioneered by John Rawls in his books. This equity based theory is meant to provide justice equally amongst every sub-group of society, so the majority still gain the greatest justice/happiness and the minority isn’t neglected. From this theory is where the suffrage movement took its roots in the 1800's up to the 1920's. Both the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s United States of America and the 60s and 70s Women's Liberation movement started from this theory. Many of the recent movements too derive from such theories, such as the Stonewall Riots to the #MeToo movement.
The Civil Rights marches led by the NAACP are continued by the Black Lives Matter protests. The Liberation movement is now the intersectional LGBTQ+ protests. Being ‘woke’ has been around since the 50s. It isn't new. It isn't original. So when people argue against being woke, it is an argument that stems from decades of protest and debates. Transexuality and homosexuality have been around since the time of the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greeks and Ancient Romans, which is over 3500 years of history, so the "woke" LGBTQ+ fight isn't new. People of colour protesting against glorified statues of slave traders who profited on the exploitation of human life is an idea that has been resonating since the start of the slave trade in the 1500’s. Women rioting against known rapists, who have high profile jobs, isn't a part of this woke idealism, it is a fight that has happened since the 1700’s. It is a war that has been waged since people began to fight back oppression.
Being "woke" isn't new. It is just the rebranding of a fight that has been occurring for decades. Not only are the right wing media attempting to monetise a hatred of the woke, it perpetuates regressive ideologies, stifling growth and emphasises class divisions. Those with privilege will thrive, forcing minorities and working class individuals into submission, living with little rights and even less freedom.
The charade Sunak and Truss have created is a threat against the people, painting this young woke generation as the perpetrators of a horrific regime, one the right wing media are more than happy to slander. Truss and Sunak alienate large parts of society in this rampage against wokeness. It is their promise to rid society of this issue. The Prime Minister, the now elected Truss, would rather focus her campaign, and time in office, fighting individuals who are trying to progress society to a state of more freedom and self-expression, instead of tackling more pressing issues. From the cost of living crisis to the NHS and record profits for big business, the list is endless. The next Prime Minister seems to rather focus on squashing peoples rights and freedoms than actually tackle societies real issues. One may question if this is a ploy to gain the vote of conservative party members, as well as gaining the trust of the general public, in a bid to win the next general election.
So, a social justice theory was developed and, later, pioneered by John Rawls in his books. This equity based theory is meant to provide justice equally amongst every sub-group of society, so the majority still gain the greatest justice/happiness and the minority isn’t neglected. From this theory is where the suffrage movement took its roots in the 1800's up to the 1920's. Both the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s United States of America and the 60s and 70s Women's Liberation movement started from this theory. Many of the recent movements too derive from such theories, such as the Stonewall Riots to the #MeToo movement.
The Civil Rights marches led by the NAACP are continued by the Black Lives Matter protests. The Liberation movement is now the intersectional LGBTQ+ protests. Being ‘woke’ has been around since the 50s. It isn't new. It isn't original. So when people argue against being woke, it is an argument that stems from decades of protest and debates. Transexuality and homosexuality have been around since the time of the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greeks and Ancient Romans, which is over 3500 years of history, so the "woke" LGBTQ+ fight isn't new. People of colour protesting against glorified statues of slave traders who profited on the exploitation of human life is an idea that has been resonating since the start of the slave trade in the 1500’s. Women rioting against known rapists, who have high profile jobs, isn't a part of this woke idealism, it is a fight that has happened since the 1700’s. It is a war that has been waged since people began to fight back oppression.
Being "woke" isn't new. It is just the rebranding of a fight that has been occurring for decades. Not only are the right wing media attempting to monetise a hatred of the woke, it perpetuates regressive ideologies, stifling growth and emphasises class divisions. Those with privilege will thrive, forcing minorities and working class individuals into submission, living with little rights and even less freedom.
The charade Sunak and Truss have created is a threat against the people, painting this young woke generation as the perpetrators of a horrific regime, one the right wing media are more than happy to slander. Truss and Sunak alienate large parts of society in this rampage against wokeness. It is their promise to rid society of this issue. The Prime Minister, the now elected Truss, would rather focus her campaign, and time in office, fighting individuals who are trying to progress society to a state of more freedom and self-expression, instead of tackling more pressing issues. From the cost of living crisis to the NHS and record profits for big business, the list is endless. The next Prime Minister seems to rather focus on squashing peoples rights and freedoms than actually tackle societies real issues. One may question if this is a ploy to gain the vote of conservative party members, as well as gaining the trust of the general public, in a bid to win the next general election.
Sources;
Comments