The hijacking of the word ‘woke’
The word ‘woke’ has been used within the African American community for generations to mean becoming awakened to racial prejudice and discrimination. The definition has been extended in recent times to include awareness of injustices of all kinds to all people. The term was promulgated widely through the Black Lives Matter movement and, for a time, had been used by many progressives.
Unfortunately ‘woke’ has become co-opted by the MAGA element of conservative thought. A synonym for the term as used by right wing extremists is ‘libtard’. The most recent example is last Tuesday evening during the Republican Response to the State of the Union Speech.
Whenever I hear or read the word ‘woke’ my immediate reaction is that a member of the radical right is disparaging those who are working to eliminate prejudice and discrimination. They may be decrying teaching the history of Black people, or that Mexicans are flooding into the country, or that the banning of gas stoves is a plot to produce a docile population, or any number of other polemics that cannot be supported by thoughtful discussion.
I count myself as a reasonable progressive (nee ‘liberal’) and had not used the term ‘woke’ frequently. Now I’ll refrain from using it at all to keep from confusing or affronting reasonable conservative friends in my community. — T.W. Theodore, Chico
‘Inconvenient truth’ about Valley’s Edge
Valley’s Edge embodies the input of thousands of Chico’s residents over 14 years to create a plan that meets the future needs of Chico. It was initiated by Chico’s progressive leadership in the 2011 General Plan. A homegrown vision that evolved into what’s recognized by planning, recreational, and environmental professionals as an example of planning done right.
Great planning takes vision, foresight, and an obligation to serve the people living here, today and into the future. Valley’s Edge creates a framework to guide future planning and building, over generations, in response to what you as Chico’s residents desire and demand. This doesn’t mean growth happens faster, just better because it’s planned and managed.
In Chico great places to live, work, raise a family and retire don’t happen by accident. It doesn’t happen overnight. It doesn’t happen in every community. But it should happen in Chico. That’s why it’s so disheartening to listen to pitches from out-of-town signature gatherers, with no ties to Chico other than collecting a few bucks and reciting a list of untruths meant to persuade you rather than inform you.
I’ve no problem with an honest opposition, but the misinformation campaign that’s been happening is rampant. It’s irresponsible. It’s destructive to our community. It cheapens honest public discourse about incredibly important matters like Chico’s future. Ask yourself why the resistance needs to push falsehoods in order to persuade people to oppose Valley’s Edge. It says a lot about a campaign when facts are just an inconvenience. Visit ChicoValleysEdge. com — Bill Brouhard, Chico