The War Against "Woke-ism"

Lately I've come across a lot of negative depictions of and opinions about "woke-ism", including mischaracterizations of and campaigns against "Critical Race Theory". The term WOKE in this context is defined as "alert to injustice in society, especially racism" and, in order to be woke, one must tune in to the social injustices of the past and present, including the roots of this injustice, and actively work to educate others about this. One of my family members recently told me that doing so was a "joy-kill" after I told him that I don't think young people should look up to Ferdinand Magellan (as Alex Jones apparently recommends) considering he burned down the villages of indigenous people that he encountered if they refused to convert to Christianity (this actually led to his death at the hands of a tribal king named Lapu-Lapu who refused to yield to Magellan's authority leading to the battle in which Magellan was killed). I find it disappointing and disturbing that telling the truth about past bigotry, especially bigotry involving violence, is considered a "joy-kill". Telling the truth about past bigotry is what woke-ism is all about and it is essential in moving toward a more honest and compassionate human society. This includes teaching Critical Race Theory, which reexamines the role that slavery and segregation have played in American history and analyzes the effectiveness of attempts (or lack thereof) to redress those historical offenses. Critical Race Theory is 100% supported by FACTS. It is not opinion. It is not indoctrination. It is increasing knowledge and using critical thinking skills to make connections, which is what education is all about. Contrary to what some in the media are saying, Critical Race Theory does NOT claim that all White Americans are working against Black Americans or that Black Americans can’t work hard and live successful lives.

Here is an example of the tragic history that many Americans never learn that Critical Race Theory would teach and encourage us to redress: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/05/1921-tulsa-race-massacre-economic-census-survivors/618968/

Here is a podcast about many other examples of the tragic history that many Americans never learn that Critical Race Theory would teach and encourage us to redress: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1619/id1476928106?i=1000447613003

Critical Race Theory is about teaching the history of this country from ALL perspectives and taking ACCOUNTABILITY for every part of that story and the impacts of our history. Accountability requires woke-ism and is the only responsible way forward in a moral, ethical society, and the only way that our nation can heal and move forward in a healthier way.