Am I woke? Well, I'm not asleep now on this colloquialism
I am asleep.
I am asleep.
Not literally. What I should say is that I am not “woke."
I know. You are probably thinking, "Shouldn't she say I am not awake?"
As a former college English major, a current newspaper columnist and a nerdy someone who has always loved language and grammar, I would normally agree with you.
But recently, I’ve become aware of an unfamiliar — at least to me — use of the word “woke” in colloquial usage.
Colloquial is everyday language, language used in conversation.
Examples of colloquial expressions or “colloquialisms" include:
“Ballpark” means something that is close but not exact. This has nothing to do with baseball.
“Rain check” means rescheduling for a later time or date. This doesn’t have to refer to actual precipitation.
OK. Enough of the English lesson. Back to the column, Kate.
So, "woke.”
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines woke as: “aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).”
Hmmm. I have heard the term used often in news and feature stories on National Public Radio, to which I listen pretty much all the time.
I guess I didn't realize the specific connection of woke to “important societal facts and issues." I guess I thought of the word meaning "more generally aware," but I am happy to learn of this particular definition.
I am woke. I am pretty sure I am aware and sensitive — probably too sensitive. A typical "bleeding heart.”
Although we were at opposite ends of the political spectrum, I am pretty sure I inherited my woke tendencies from my parents. Frank and Kaddy Ronan were the kindest and most generous people I ever have known.
Mom probably made thousands of cupcakes for school functions. My artistic dad helped us with all of our school projects. My sisters and I performed in high school plays. I could always hear my mother’s distinctive laugh.
Mom worked evenings and Saturdays as a receptionist in a doctors’ office. She ”adopted” a couple of elderly women who had no family, grocery shopping for them, helping them with household tasks and to get dressed.
Dad led our little church choir, was the "caller" in his wonderful baritone voice for the parish’s weekly bingo sessions.
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I remember when a family moved to our town, the couple and their four boys came for supper several times.
Yep. I don't believe the word woke was used in the way it is now, but my parents most definitely were woke. Of course they had friends and would socialize with them. They would occasionally make the 90-minute trip to New York City. I remember the Italian restaurant Mamma Leone's being a frequent destination.
My parents had other occupations and interests, but their three daughters were the primary focus of their lives.
It certainly was a wonderful way to grow up.
Kate Coleman is a features columnist for The Herald-Mail.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: What does it mean to be 'woke'? Apparently, more than 'not asleep'
