During a Q&A session in a recent workshop, a person mentioned their frustration at living in a 'woke' world.
The dictionary definition of woke is ‘To be aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues.’ Yet it has become a dismissive comment, and on occasion, used as a derogatory term.
Growing up in the 60s and 70s it was rare to see someone with a disability at school. People were separated according to their specific needs which, whilst well-meaning, meant that people were segregated according to their disability rather than included for their ability.
We have come a long way since then. We now know that as a society if we can be more inclusive, everyone benefits.
An inclusive society strengthens social cohesion, broadens our scope of experiences, promotes a sense of acceptance and belonging, develops meaningful relationships, and encourages innovation and creativity.
Inclusion brings a diversity of beliefs, thoughts, vision, values and much more.
It is important to keep in mind that every person is different, and the greatest difference in every person is our unique experiences. If we segregate according to gender, race, disability, religion and so forth, the world would be divided.
A divided world causes loneliness, amplifies division and undermines trust. Each of us needs to feel valued to be at our very best as a contributing part of society. When we are separated into groups it causes division, it causes bias, it causes derision.
Some of us are unsettled when we see or hear things that don't conform to our own norms, but that is our problem to deal with not for others.
When we push back on the uncomfortable it says more about us than the target of our discomfort. The more we get comfortable with the uncomfortable - the more as a person and as a society we can learn and grow.
When you feel yourself getting uncomfortable in a situation stop and sit with that feeling.
Think for a moment, what is it that you are seeing or hearing that makes it so uncomfortable for you? Is it a genuine threat or is it just something new, different to what you are used to?
We are hardwired to avoid risk, and new things are viewed as a risk to our brain. We must teach our brain to think differently.
Being who we are as an individual, being our natural selves, and being part of society is important for every person. It is important for others to accept who we are so that we can learn and grow together.
‘You be you’ and be proud when doing so.
Let's talk!
What Is Woke?