Here’s something I saw on Facebook called “10 Symptoms of the Woke Mind”. 

1. You read books and don’t burn them. 
2. You embrace science. 
3. You are willing to change your mind when new information becomes available. 
4. You understand that most issues are not black & white.
5. You believe in true equality for all people.
6. You like to share.
7. You embrace cooperation.
8. You respect others’ rights.
9. You believe culture and the arts have value. 
10. You care for the planet and all of its life.

 Now, here’s my quandary:  I am on board with all 10 of these things.  My problem is that I’ve heard the word “woke” so many times that now it has become a parody of itself.  Once upon a time the definition of woke was simply the past of wake as in awaken, come to, become alert.  Starting in the 2010’s it began to stand for being aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).   I am on board with that as well.  There’s just something about the overuse of the word woke that to some has made the word a mocking imitation of itself.  Perhaps over time its use will gradually revert to just meaning waking up in a general sense.    

That’s Coffeetalk.  I’m Vic Dubois.