Right-leaning politicians have taken to pillaring those on the left side of the political spectrum as being “woke,” attempting to cast shade on the term much as has been largely successful south of the border with the term “liberal” (that’s small L in the US context, but big L also fits into the lexicon in Canada).
The original meaning of “woke” comes from the early civil rights movement and is officially defined as being “aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).” This, to those of the right, is a bad thing, apparently.
There has been an unfortunate drift by the right side of the political spectrum in Western democracies, and the US in particular, into embracing the very worst facets of human nature—overt racism, fear of the other and an “our way or the highway” approach to social engineering.
The right has been aided in redefining “woke” into a pejorative by a population that is growing older and finds itself dismayed and fearful by the rapid changes taking place in society.
Drag queens, members of the LGBTQ2S+, the increasing prevalence of those bearing a skin tone somewhat darker than that which “old stock” Canadians are used to seeing in the grocery store (now even appearing on the streets of small towns and rural areas). All are being harnessed as targets to be feared and any attempt at inclusion or even tolerance is suspect and to be attacked as enemies of the old world order as seen through the rose-coloured lens of privilege.
It is no accident that the invocation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms notwithstanding clause has been almost exclusively utilized by Conservative (big C and little C) premiers (at least outside of Quebec)—all the while casting shade on those of the left and centre as being dictatorial. This is a disturbing situation. As noted by a long-time, now-retired, Progressive Conservative Sudbury politician “there is no place in the party for Red Tories anymore.”
Canadians have always been a pragmatic folk. It comes from living in a relatively harsh environment in smaller communities—we tend to look after each other. The dog-eat-dog ideology that underpins the hard-core capitalist system of our nearest neighbour has had limited traction here in the Great White North.
Our cherished Charter of Rights and Freedoms is now more often cited as an impediment to “right thinking” citizens, those espousing strict (mostly Christian) religious values enjoying their peace order and preventing “good” government.
The frustrations being felt by many citizens, frustrations engendered by the restrictions aimed at combating the global pandemic, are being channeled into a very un-Canadian theme—hate. Those leading the charge and beating the drums of hatred tend to wrap themselves in the flag and patriotism, stealing our national symbols to the point that some Canadians eschew those symbols lest their own image be tainted by hate and anger.
As we approach July 1, our national day celebrating all things Canada, let us reclaim those symbols and the tolerance and inclusion that they have historically symbolized. Canada has embarked on many roads of reconciliation in recent years, attempting to right the wrongs of the past and to chart a new course into the future where all citizens, regardless of race, religion or culture are welcome. It is a road worth travelling.
As a nation we have awakened to the injustices of the past and are seeking to redress those injustices to ensure a better world for all…and that is okay. It stands to reason that it is also okay to be “woke” even if it may be a bit uncomfortable for those of us who remain blind to the systemic privilege from which we still benefit.
In short… it’s okay to be “woke,” in fact, it’s downright Canadian.
