The First “Woke” Movement
NO, “WOKE” DID NOT ORIGINATE ON THE LEFT:
IT’S ORIGINS MAY ACTUALLY SURPRISE YOU
In the summer heat of 1971 in broad daylight in front of thousands of people protesting “offensive ethnic stereotypes” in New York City, a stranger approached Mafia godfather Joseph Columbo and blasted three bullets into his body, including two into the head. More on that story in a moment.
“Woke” and “wokism” are relatively new words in American politics and popular culture. They weren’t added to the Oxford Dictionary until 2017. I don’t recall ever hearing those words until a few years ago.
Being “woke” is intended as a derogatory accusation. Mostly, it’s a MAGA-driven alchemy of angst and activism meant to belittle people on the Left and trigger outrage on the Right. Unfortunately, this has been nefariously effective. It has been also used to denigrate “diversity, equity, and inclusion (better known as the pejorative acronym, “DEI”). I find this oddly peculiar since woke’s simplest definition (quoting straight from Oxford) is “….an awareness of racial prejudice and discrimination.”
Just imagine that. Going to the extreme of being aware that some groups of people have been misrepresented and harmed in our society, and in some respects continue to suffer injustice and prejudice. Lately, “social justice warriors” and “snowflakes” have been added to the arsenal of insults. Then, there’s “Femi-nazi” and “Cultural Marxism.” Powerful stuff. To say social media has become a war of words is an understatement.
Woke accusers cite several recent examples of powers that be (almost always profit-driven companies) “going too far” and/or progressive causes being “out of control.” The list is long, and growing by the day. Sambo’s, Land ‘O Lakes, Aunt Jemima, Bud-Light, and other brands were pummeled with criticism and even boycotted. Very recently, conservatives are pissed off because a company changed the Cracker Barrel restaurant logo. Really. I’m serious. You can look it up.
Critics of “woke” and “wokism” blame progressives and Leftist activism for this phenomenon and the growing cultural divide. That’s a big mistake. It’s wrong. Obviously, many of these critics are terribly uninformed about their *own* history. Being “woke” didn’t start with the Left. In fact, the truth may surprise you.
Let’s think back to an earlier time and a sizable ethnic group in America when millions of people were offended and became outraged by a stereotype. What did they do? They formed group and protested. They organized boycotts. They gathered by the thousands in public squares. They marched in the streets. They even threatened political leaders and companies who engaged in the offensive stereotyping with retribution. Sound familiar?
Who was it? Blacks? Latinos? Native-Americans? Gays?
Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope.
Try this. Italian-Americans. Some of my ancestors. Many of yours, too.
The first significant “woke” movement was huge, and it was called the Italian-American Civil Rights League. Half a century ago, social media activism meant marching in cities and public speeches in town squares. That was the Internet of the time. In the 1970’s, the issue was Italians being stereotyped in movies and pop culture as Mafia types, as portrayed in “The Godfather.” Gee, an offensive stereotype stirred up lots of protests — sound familiar?
The cruelest irony of all was the Italian political organization (with more than a million members) was completely financed and run by organized crime! Mafia don Joseph Columbo founded the IACRL. Strangely, nobody took offense at that. The IACRL was very active. It accused the government of harassment. It targeted big companies, including movie-makers in Hollywood. This group didn’t like the way they were being portrayed in popular culture. So, they acted (which was certainly within their right to do so). Now, many are upset with other groups doing the same? Explain this.
The kicker to the story is what happened in the summer of 1971 when the wokest man of his day had two bullets blasted into his brain and another into his neck at an Italian-American Civil Rights League protest at Columbus Circle in New York. PR-HOT PRO TIP: It’s not a good look to have the head of your organization also run the Columbo Crime Family and then get gunned down in public. That’s a tough image to spin. Worst marketing ever!
No —– being “woke” isn’t just a *progressive* thing. It’s a *human* thing. People don’t like it when they are portrayed unflatteringly, and some get downright angry when imagery is offensive. Italians didn’t like it. Irish didn’t like it. Polish people didn’t like it. Nobody likes it.
Of course, if it’s Blacks, or Latinos, or Native-Americans, or gays, or other groups doing the protesting, they are “woke.” But when the very originators of these kinds of activities and methods leading to movements do their own thing, there’s no acknowledgement of history whatsoever.
WOKISM didn’t originate on the LEFT. It originated much closer to home for some of us — that is, if you care to look in the mirror.
Hmmm. Maybe a little understanding and compassion for people offended by harmful misrepresentations would be a good thing. Don’t shoot me, though — I’m only the messenger.
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