Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Woke-ing up: how the UK and Australia are grappling with the new cultural alarm clock

By Vince Hooper - posted Wednesday, 31 July 2024


Ah, the good old days! A time when the word "woke" was just the past tense of "wake," and "political correctness" was something your aunt said before you accidentally called her by the wrong name at Christmas dinner. But now, welcome to 2024, where "woke" is the latest cultural buzzword that some say is trying to ruin everything we hold dear: our love of bland jokes, questionable statues, and a steadfast refusal to learn new things. In the United Kingdom and Australia, the so-called "woke-ing class" has arrived, and boy, are they shaking things up!

The "woke" awakening

Originally meaning "alert to injustice," the term "woke" has been co-opted, twisted, and turned inside out like a forgotten pair of socks. Nowadays, in the UK and Australia, it's a catch-all for anything that smacks of progress, awareness, or, heaven forbid, change. For some, "woke" is the new cultural alarm clock, ringing loudly and inconveniently at 6 am when all you want to do is sleep through the next decade.

Advertisement

But let's be honest: the "woke-ing class" is here to ruin everything fun. They question statues, rewrite history, and even want us to treat people equally. What happened to the good old days when ignorance was bliss and everything wrong was someone else's problem?

The UK's historic love affair with tradition

In the UK, the "woke" debate is tangled up with Brexit, a word that still makes people squirm like they've just seen a ghost - perhaps the ghost of economic stability. As if that wasn't enough, people have started questioning the merits of honoring colonial figures. This has led to the shocking revelation that maybe, just maybe, glorifying a man responsible for exploiting half the world is a bad look. Who knew?

The "Rhodes Must Fall" campaign at Oxford University is a prime example. It turns out not everyone wants to celebrate a man whose views on race were about as enlightened as a potato. But what's next? Changing the name of the British Museum to the "Museum of Stuff We Probably Shouldn't Have Taken"?

Meanwhile, the iconic Workers' Club has caught the woke bug and rebranded itself as the "Woke Persons Club," ensuring everyone feels equally unwelcome in its stuffy lounge. They've even added tofu to the menu-because nothing says "working class" like a nice vegan quinoa salad.

Politicians are cashing in on anti-woke sentiment like it's a buy-one-get-one-free sale on outrage. Some are championing free speech by ensuring that anyone can say whatever they want, as long as it's not too progressive or factual.

Advertisement

Australia's struggle with the past

Down under, the "woke-ing class" has turned its sights on Australia's past. Recently, there was a referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. For those keeping score, that was about whether to let Indigenous Australians have more say in the policies that affect them - a truly radical notion that shocked everyone who thought they were just here for the BBQ.

Sadly, the referendum didn't pass, suggesting that some Australians are still deciding if they want to hit the snooze button on reconciliation. It's hard work acknowledging the original owners of the land, especially when there are so many more important things to worry about, like the cricket score.

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

7 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Dr Vince Hooper is an associate professor at the Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University, Saudi Arabia.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Vince Hooper

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Vince Hooper
Article Tools
Comment 7 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy