The Elusive Pursuit of Wokeness: A Critical Examination of Contemporary Social Justice

As a young person, I was already disenchanted with suffering and didn't look forward to a life filled with it. This sentiment only intensified as I became more aware of the struggles faced by Black queer boys like myself in the South. My understanding of justice began to take shape during my early teenage years, but what does it truly mean to be 'woke'?

To me, being woke doesn't imply that one has transcended harmful behavior permanently. Rather, it's a continuous process of self-reflection and growth. I'm not someone who claims to be woke or good; instead, I recognize the imperfections in myself and strive for improvement.

The contemporary notion of wokeness often feels superficial, resembling a New Age feel-good cult mentality driven by neoliberalism. It prioritizes performativity (the pursuit of being cool and hip), reductionism (oversimplification), and lack of accountability (the freedom to say or do whatever one wants). Social media gurus and self-help experts create flashy personas and offer simplistic advice, often lacking depth.

Wokeness today seems more like a performance aimed at hiding the performer's deep-seated fears. We gauge the wokeness of those around us, creating an elitist hierarchy within an experience that should be anti-hierarchical and inclusive. There's a desperation to get woke or else, as if it's a competition we're desperate to win – with losers blamed for the world's problems.

The work of wokeness is not about grand gestures; it's about continuous self-improvement and acknowledging our own flaws. By recognizing that being woke is a journey rather than an identity, we can begin to dismantle the performative aspects of contemporary wokeness and focus on meaningful growth. As Lama Rod Owens Middlebury would likely attest, true change requires ongoing effort and humility – not just a desire for validation or social status.

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