Damn Right, I’m Woke: Because Equality and Human Decency Matter
Let’s cut through the noise. You’ve heard the word woke thrown around like a political grenade—some people use it as a badge of honor, others as an insult. But for me? It’s simple. Being woke means giving a damn about fairness, justice, and the kind of world we’re shaping for the next generation. It means I refuse to sit back while inequality, discrimination, and ignorance run the show.
Hell, that’s one reason I became a lawyer—to take on these kinds of problems and actually do something about them. And yeah, I’m damn proud of that.
Woke Isn’t a Dirty Word—It’s a Wake-Up Call
Some folks act like wokeness is a problem—like it’s some hypersensitive, over-the-top movement designed to make everyone feel guilty. Let’s be real: what’s actually happening is that people are waking up to injustices that have existed for centuries. And that makes some uncomfortable.
But discomfort isn’t oppression. Being challenged isn’t censorship. And asking society to do better? That’s not radical—it’s responsible.
Think about how we talk about mental health now compared to a decade ago. Ten years ago, people suffering from anxiety, depression, or PTSD were often dismissed as weak or dramatic. Now, because people spoke up and refused to be silenced, there’s real awareness, better resources, and actual conversations happening. That’s wokeness in action—it’s about seeing the problem, addressing it, and making life better for everyone.
Accountability: Not a Punishment, But a Standard
One of the biggest pushbacks against wokeness is this idea of cancel culture—as if holding people accountable for their words and actions is some new, dangerous concept. Newsflash: consequences have always existed. The only difference now is that marginalized voices actually have platforms to call things out.
When corporations market themselves as allies but treat their employees like disposable assets? Call them out. When public figures say harmful things and expect zero fallout? Call them out. Accountability isn’t persecution—it’s progress.
Take the #MeToo movement as an example. For years, survivors of workplace harassment were told to “keep quiet” to protect reputations and careers. Then, people started speaking up. And suddenly, powerful figures who had abused their positions for decades were finally being held responsible. That’s not “cancel culture”—that’s people demanding basic human decency.
Equality Doesn’t Mean Exclusion—It Means Everyone Gets a Fair Shot
Another tired complaint? That focusing on marginalized communities somehow “divides” us. But acknowledging inequality isn’t creating division; it’s recognizing reality. If a system has historically favored one group while shutting others out, fixing that imbalance isn’t “reverse discrimination”—it’s fairness in action.
Look no further than the push for accessibility in public spaces. Years ago, ramps, elevators, and closed captions weren’t common. People with disabilities were just expected to “figure it out.” But now, because of advocacy, accessibility is a standard consideration. No one is complaining that ramps “exclude” people who don’t need them—because they don’t. They just ensure that everyone has access.
Empowerment Over Victimhood: Strength in Acknowledging Struggle
Some critics love to say that wokeness “glorifies victimhood,” like recognizing oppression somehow strips people of their power. That’s a fundamental misunderstanding of history, resilience, and the human spirit.
People don’t push for justice because they see themselves as victims; they push because they refuse to be defined by oppression. Acknowledging struggles doesn’t mean surrender—it means setting the stage for change. You can’t fix what you refuse to see.
Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a moment in history most Americans were not aware of. It was a thriving, successful Black community which was burned to the ground by white mobs in 1921. For decades, this history was buried, ignored, and erased. Was acknowledging this tragedy an attempt to glorify victimhood? No. It was about truth. It was about making sure people understood the injustice, so we don’t let history repeat itself. That’s what wokeness is about—giving voice to the truth so we can build something better.
The Future Belongs to the Woke—Because It Belongs to Those Who Care
At its core, being woke isn’t about labels, arguments, or internet debates. It’s about valuing people—all people—and being willing to challenge systems that hold them back. It’s about choosing empathy over indifference, action over complacency, and justice over convenience.
Reflect back to the Civil Rights Movement, marriage equality, gender pay gaps—every major step forward in history happened because people refused to stay silent. The people who fought for change were called radicals, troublemakers, and yes, “too woke.” But guess what? The world moved forward because of them.
So yeah, I’m woke. Because the alternative—being willfully ignorant, dismissive, or complicit? That’s just not an option.
Mitch Jackson, Esq. | links
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