THE JCI LIFE
BEING ‘WOKE’ AND THE ‘RIGHT TO LISTEN’ By: Jude Avorque Acidre 2020 National Treasurer
“Woke”. The expression “staying woke” may have been trending lately on social media, but it has long been used as an African American slang term which refers to a continuing awareness of specific issues such as racial and social justice. Its contemporary usage, though, has been expanded to include other social liberal causes such as feminism, LGBT rights, and even cultural appropriateness.
knowledgeable and opinionated on current issues. It has reached a point that it has significantly altered social behavior by pressuring their peers, and even adults to also choose a personal stance on many of these issues, even if otherwise they would not. With their technological savviness, the youth have also effectively used online platforms to freely express their ideas to an even wider audience.
The word “woke” loosely translates in Filipino as “mulat” which literally means aware, or conscious – providing the concept an even more Filipino flavor. “Mulat” is more than just being well-informed or up-to-date, it is a call to action to be more involved about prevailing societal realities.
But this seeming obsession about being “woke” or “mulat” has come with its own consequences, including the propensity to be intolerant or even dismissive of opposing opinions. They have become even critical of those who prefer to be silent or unquestioning about particular issues, or those who take time to be more discerning or introspective as the realities around them continue to shift and evolve.
“Woke” or “mulat” is a precise way to describe today’s younger generation. Today’s youth is not afraid to ask not only, “what?” but are even more forthcoming to ask, “why?”. In fact, as compared to generations before them, they are not hesitant to express their personal views. They are also even articulate enough to convince others to share their opinions. A cursory analysis of social media would show how the younger generation have become more and more
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JCI PHILIPPINES
That explains, why in many instances, conversations and debates on social media turn to become angry, hurtful and sometimes disrespectful. This begs the question, “is being ‘woke’ entirely good for our democracy?” The stoic philosopher, Epictetus, once taught, “We have two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak”. In a time when
people are expected to be “woke” and are often lauded for freely speaking their mind – the truth is, we have lost appreciation for the value of silence, and the virtue of introspection. Gone were the days, when one would spend more time listening, silently and at length, to what people had to say – especially when what it would take now is a single click of a mouse or a dozen taps on the keyboard. It is worth questioning whether if in a time when we are constantly insisting on our freedoms – of free speech, conscience and belief – have we denied as much the right of others to listen? In a society where people associate their voice with freedom and talking with power, it seems strange to defend one’s right to listen. But not until one is shunned for choosing to be discerning or to say the least, silent or to think differently about a particular issue. The sad reality is that today’s “woke” generation are not too fond of people who prefer to “stay silent” – and worst, they become the opposite of the very freedoms that serve as their battle cry. What today’s “woke” generation have missed out is understanding that listening can be a powerful political act. To listen is to act, and clearly it takes effort and requires a conscious choice. Listening is more
