Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

I’m a word guy. I read. I write. And I am constantly trying to improve my vocabulary. When I started hearing the term woke in political ads, I had no idea what it was. I thought they were mis-pronouncing wok. I know that a wok is a Chinese cooking pan. I like to make stir fry dishes in mine.

I am woke up every morning by our alarm clock. That doesn’t seem to fit what the Republicans are saying about their opponents. The term Woke Democrat or Woke Liberal is a mystery for most of us. I am not sure that those speaking the word in their commercials know the true definition.

Wikipedia says it means “alert to racial prejudice and discrimination.” The Oxford and Webster dictionaries agree with them. How is it bad to be aware of prejudice and discrimination? I am not sure how to interpret this word.

Do I respond like these Republicans and criticize anyone that can realize when racism and bigotry are evident? I guess they could call me a woke writer. By the way, woke is an adjective. That means it must be used to modify a noun like a democrat, writer, or republican.

I have not heard of a woke Republican. It would be nice to learn that they are alert to racial prejudice and discrimination. We need to be looking for our similarities and not our differences.

How are we the same? We all want what is best for each other. Pro-Choice and Abortion opponents want to protect the life of the mother and the baby. Whites and blacks and other minorities want to understand each other and repair any disagreements that we had in the past. Our differences should not divide us.

Even Democrats and Republicans or conservatives and liberals can cooperate to pass laws that we agree are needed. We all win when we work together.

What is most important to you? Is providing for your family your priority? Are you currently more worried about food or housing? Does your family have everything they need? Should you be helping others? Where and with whom should you be serving others?

We need to put others before ourselves. Many people focus totally on themselves. To be the country and the people that we want to be we must put others first. Step out of your place in line and give it to someone else. Walk to the back of the line and let your children know that is what we should be doing.

©Copyright 2022 by Charles Kensinger