The Everyday Human

 I recently read an article about a pastor planning to take his conservative values to “woke” regions by opening churches to spread the gospel. As a Christian, I have no issue with a pastor going to different areas to share God’s word—that’s part of the discipleship that goes back to Jesus’s days walking on earth. However, I’m bothered that instead of simply saying that, he used the term “woke” to announce his venture.

For me, anti-wokeness is rooted in anti-blackness. The term “woke” originated in Black culture as a way of bringing awareness to racism and social injustice. It was made famous through our music and by our activists. Growing up, when someone told me to stay woke, they were signaling that certain actions and structures need to be viewed through a historical lens. By doing so, we can take steps to prevent racist history from repeating itself and work to undo structures that may have caused deficits in our communities.

For example, I often think about the term “woke” when examining voter integrity and suppression efforts. While some legitimately want to ensure fair elections, it’s important to understand that historically, there were those with more nefarious reasons for voter restrictions. Poll taxes and literacy tests were designed to keep Black folks and others from voting. That history matters when we try to understand who current voter integrity efforts hurt the most.

I also think about the term “woke” when I see nonprofits, private organizations, and government entities develop programs to uplift communities that are disproportionately Black and Brown. In my professional life, I encounter these communities often. Looking at them now, one might think they’re failing and not worth additional resources. However, the “woke” part of my mind knows that historically, these were thriving communities that degraded over time due to neglect and government and corporate actions that disproportionately harmed these neighborhoods. This isn’t to say community members themselves bore no responsibility for the decline, but the woke in me recognizes that external forces were so powerful that these communities couldn’t withstand any internal missteps or mistakes.

Sadly, I believe the real goal of anti-DEI efforts is to end this type of wokeness and the potential results that can come from it. I’m someone who tries to look at all sides of an issue—it’s just how my brain works. Therefore, I was sympathetic to anti-DEI arguments around the idea that good-hearted White people shouldn’t have to feel like racists, or that qualified, hard-working White people shouldn’t lose opportunities simply due to their skin color. Note that I said sympathetic—I believe these issues are far more complicated than that.

However, the more I observe what’s happening, the more I realize this isn’t the true reasoning behind anti-DEI movements. It’s the rationale spoken, but not the actual motivation.

Sadly, the true reasoning reveals exactly why DEI is necessary in the first place. For instance, people of color in successful positions are having their qualifications questioned. This begs the question: if there are those that think people of color are unqualified for certain professions, what would prevent those same individuals from discriminating against people pursuing these specific professions? The anti-wokeness agenda, which seems designed to erase our history and any practices that uplift our communities, doesn’t appear to be about fairness. Instead, it seems focused on avoiding questions about actions that are essentially taking our society backwards.

I just read that Black folks had reached a record low unemployment rate of 5.3%, only to now be at 8.3%. Government jobs—which many Black people pursued due to discriminatory practices in the private sector—are now being dismantled, and this elimination is being celebrated. The “woke” in me is reminded of repeated actions throughout history that have pushed Black folks backwards just when they’re starting to advance. I could write an entire blog about actions ranging from law and policy changes to historical violent massacres that devastated thriving communities of color.

As I stated earlier, I tend to see issues from all sides. Therefore, I’m adult enough to admit that some DEI practices probably needed refinement, and that racism isn’t the sole cause of deficits within Black communities. However, this total annihilation of DEI and the way “woke” has been turned into a taboo term suggests that we, as a society, are either too intellectually lazy to develop real, precise solutions—or the true goal is something far more nefarious.

That’s why this pastor’s reference to “woke” is so bothersome. While he may be concerned with issues beyond race, no one can deny that “woke” originated in Black culture. Therefore, anti-woke sentiment is rooted in anti-blackness. Any pastor who uses this terminology won’t draw me to Christ. Instead, I’ll keep my family and anyone I love away from them out of an abundance of caution. After all, the way “woke” is being weaponized now makes me question whether I could express any part of our culture—from music to art—or whether there would ever be room for people who look like me in executive leadership positions. It makes me wonder if I’m a welcomed part of the body of Christ, or the target he’s trying to combat by taking on “woke” regions.

Part of me hopes I’m wrong—that people opposing wokeness or DEI truly believe, in their hearts, that we’re all equal, that discrimination doesn’t exist, and that a future where the concept of “race” is totally ignored will mean better outcomes for everyone. However, at the very least, I believe these views are naïve and oversimplified. At worst, I believe they are disingenuous and strategic rationalizations.

Honestly, I guess time will tell. But I can’t say I’m not concerned.