The term “woke,” which refers to racial awareness, was tired even before all the wrong people started using it. It’s even been used to refer to Joe Biden, who seems barely sentient. People who refer to themselves in this manner are generally a far reach from any kind of real political or social awareness.
I generally use the term “self aware” as a descriptor for someone with a sense of both self and wakefulness. It means owning a mirror, and knowing how to use it. My older brother, in general the kindest and smartest man I have ever known, was not quite fully self aware. He strove to be perfect in life, but never knew why he did so. I came about the reason late in my own life, and long after Steve had passed. We grew up in a violent and angry household, most of which I missed (I cannot speak to memories before age five). Our mother was a saint, but then, I question why she married as she did, and why she stayed. (Catholics are not allowed to divorce, so that’s one reason. But I know that hundreds of thousands use forbiddance of divorce as the reason they quit the Church. That option was available to Mom.)
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