Thread by @RabbiHarvey

A quick thread on "Woke" and, what it truly means, why the right hates it, and why Judaism is woke as hell.
Let's do this. #Thread #threadstorytimes #threadstory #woke #wokeaf #wokementality

Now, I'll first state that as a Caucasian American Jew of Ashkenazi descent, I can speak to this aspect of American life knowing that I live with a great deal of white privilege. As an assimilated Reform Jew, I can blend into the white Christian world easily to avoid conflict./1

There are Jews who make the decision to wear Jewish ritual object (keepot/ tallit) that make them targets of antisemitism. However, a black American does not face the existential crises that white Jews do, as black Americans CANNOT hide their background and are always targets./2

So, as I teach on this, I bow humbly to the black Americans who coined the term "woke" and work towards dismantling institutionalized racism, and am open to their suggestions on how I can teach this better.

Now, to our lesson, the word "woke" is as old as the 1930s but gained/3

...popularity and awareness in the 2010s. While before it was used only within African-American Vernacular English, its meaning began to spread to political and social causes. The definition of "woke" is "alert to racial prejudice and discrimination," specifically in the US/4

In the 2010s, the term began to take shape in understanding and being "awaken" to see the institutionalized racial elements of American society, whether that be police brutality, home loans, hospital care, or racially insensitive epithets. /5

The term "woke" became a signal for White and other Americans to show support for Black Americans, whether it be the BLM movement, or other movements against institutionalized racism. It was added to the Oxford Dictionary in 2017. /6

Predictably, the right in America became threatened by these movements and this term, and immediately sought to demonize it, just as it had demonized the BLM movement (calling it socialism), Colin Kaepernick (calling him unpatriotic), and CRT or "identity politics) /7

Almost immediately, the right turned the word "woke" into a slur, for people who were caring too much about these ideas, finding too many things insensitive or offensive, pointing out white privilege, and instituting change./8

Why did the right-wing of America find it so threatening? For the same reason the right-wing attached itself to ideas such as "make America great again." The idea of "woke" was to dismantle the "old ways" of America and institute change. This threatened the "good old days"/9

...of the Right-Wing, remembering back to a fictitious America where all was well (when really only white men profited). Things such as the removal of offensive Native American symbols in sports, to the additions of multiple languages or sign language intepretors have been/10

...called "woke" by the far-right, terrified that their false sense of white America was slipping away and that equality for minorities was around the corner. With the institutionalized racism and white supremacy deep within the right of America, "woke" became a threat./11

Meanwhile, the younger generations embraced this term, happily removing insensitive symbols, cheering for those protesting police brutality, and looking for a real appreciation for America that did not include nationalism or jingoism. /12

The term "woke" is often associated with another slur by the far right, "social justice warrior" or SJW, meaning that someone who looks to fix the injustice in the world, which the far-right finds annoying as they believe the institutions and privilege they enjoy are fine./13

This "progressive" ideal to fix injustice and correct the many years of racism, sexism, white privilege, and greed in America is so demonized by the right, that they have gone as far as banning books, banning CRT, and fighting against removal of racist epithets. /14

Now, onto the next part. Judaism is "woke AF". Now, I say this knowing that that right-wing and MAGA Jews will be disgusted as "their" view of Judaism or America is one where they believe speaking out against racism causes racism, and so for antisemitism as well. /15

There has also been a mix by the far right Jews in America to demonize woke as anti-Israel or anti-Zionist because a "woke" movement seeks human rights for the Palestinians, and with the MAGA Jews siding with Christian Zionism over Jewish thought, they attack us. /16

Why is Judaism "woke AF"? Because the idea of "justice" is what Judaism holds as a central value. Tzedakah (justice), whether in a tax form where everyone gives even those who receive, or the pursue justice in the world is a Jewish value. /17

Deut. 16:18  states "You shall appoint magistrates and officials for your tribes...and they shall govern the people with due justice."
Deut. 16:20: Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may thrive.../18

It was wisdom and the ability for discernment of justice that Solomon asked for from God, "divine wisdom to execute justice" (1King 3:28/1King 10:9).

The prophets preach about justice constantly. Can anything be more woke than Isaiah 1:17?? Aid the wronged, uphold rights! /19

Isaiah speaks of a place that once "was filled with justice, Where righteousness dwelt—But now murderers." (Isaiah 1:21)
Isaiah preaches about justice and righteousness so much I cannot even list it all. THIS is what the "woke" movement seeks, justice and righteousness./20

Imagine for a moment, thinking that those who wish to dismantle injustice are your enemy, for they will break your comfortability in the world, bringing justice and righteousness to your neighbors. Imagine it! Have they forgotten the words of the prophets?? /21

Jeremiah tells us "Justice, and equity in the world; For in these I (God) delight" 9:23.
"And dispensed justice and equity—Then all went well with him." 22:15
Hosea tells us: "You must return to your God! Practice goodness and justice, And constantly trust in your God." 12:7
/22

I am reminded of a Talmudic statement from Baba Batra that states “One who turns his eyes from the need of Tzedakah is equated to one who worship idols” (Rav Yehoshua Ben Korasch). The Woke movement turns its eyes TOWARDS the needs of justice in America, it does not.../23

turn towards idol worship (such as Trump, MAGA, or Christian Zionism).
Judaism is Woke AF, and I'm proud to stand for justice & equity, goodness & mercy, righteousness in America and be "woke."
If you are Jewish and anti-woke, then you have turned your eyes from God.
/END.

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