My Take: Wokeism not all ‘sunshine and rainbows’
“Wokeism’s natural logic is to destroy the lives of both genders, of all races, and if need be, those of every age, all to leverage an otherwise unworkable ideological agenda.” — Victor Davis Hanson.
The phrases “woke” and “stay woke” is not new — they began appearing in the 1940s and were first used by African Americans to literally mean becoming woken up or sensitized to issues of justice.
Our American history has been a story of being “woke” long before it was part of our lexicon. From the American Revolution to the Great Bus Rebellion, Americans have a strong belief that the system works to fulfill its promises of equality, unalienable rights and the pursuit of happiness.
Wokeism falls into two movements: One which builds the country up and makes us better. The other divides and make us worse.
For 247 years, the first movement succeeds in emancipation from slavery, women’s suffrage, civil rights and the passage of Title IX. This movement built our country up and we are all better for it.
The second movement fails: Protecting women’s sports, as guaranteed by Title IX, is viewed by some as transphobic. Coca-Cola's diversity program urged workers to be "less white." Washington bill to allow medical transgender interventions on minors without parental consent. This harmful movement is devoid of equality, as it divides female vs. transgender, white vs. person of color, and parent vs. child/government.
Mr. Buursma’s, April 4 article, "Wokeism and the great bus rebellion," paints wokeism with the broad brush of sunshine and rainbows. “Wokeism is good. It is empathetic recognition that injustice and inequality, especially when heaped upon the vulnerable and disenfranchised, must not be tolerated. Wokeism is a virtue,” Buursma wrote.
Buursma sets moral people straight ...
“Moral people are repulsed by injustice.”
“Moral people are repulsed by preferential treatment.”
“Moral people are repulsed by favoritism and unfairness. They seek justice, equality, and liberty — for everyone.”
I couldn’t agree more and why as a moral person, I am going to challenge Mr. Buursma.
When women are competing against biological males, how is that protecting and providing equality in women’s sports? Where would you say the virtue is?
Additionally, when state governments, like Washington, are pushing for dangerous medical transgender interventions on children without their parent’s consent, how is that protecting the vulnerable?
Wokeism, the version of the movement, which tramples on women’s civil rights and hurts our most vulnerable, is unequivocally evil. Every moral person should proclaim this truth.
Buursma quotes the prophet Isaiah to make his point that no one should ever condemn wokeism. Actually, the context of Isaiah 5:19-20 is referring to those who continue to indulge in sin while mocking Isaiah’s prophecies. Isaiah continued to prophesy that the only way we can save ourselves is if we adapt our morals and standards according to Scripture and walk in obedience to Christ.
Bottom line: Women need to be protected, respected, and honored. Title IX was recently celebrated 50 years after being signed into law by President Nixon in 1972. It was a civil rights law to protect women from discrimination in sports and education. The “woke” movement fighting against collegiate swimmer, Riley Gaines, is abhorrent. She should be celebrated as a champion instead of having her civil rights trampled on by a biological male.
Our most vulnerable population, our children, also needs to be protected and loved. For a state government, like Washington, to propose a bill that allows children to engage in harmful transgender surgeries without their parent’s consent is not good in any sense of the word.
Wokeism has produced many positive results from the abolition of slavery to Title IX. Laws were put in place to protect, honor, and make us all better.
Wokeism that is devoid of equality, that divides female vs. transgender, white vs. person of color, and parent vs. child/government is harmful and does absolutely nothing for the betterment of society.
Wokeism is not all sunshine and rainbows.
— Kurt Dobbs is a Park Township resident. He can be reached at kurtdobbs12@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: My Take: Wokeism not all ‘sunshine and rainbows’
