EEE, I've thought a lot about this issue, and to really do it justice, to really spell out all of the nuances on a whole host of related issues, I'd need more time than I have today. So I'll be brief, and I'm surely only touching upon the tip of the iceberg. I know "woke" originally meant being aware of the injustices, especially the racial ones here in America. I think the word has evolved in some quarters to mean examples where social justice issues have been taken to an extreme (at least for some Americans). I'll offer a few examples. Trans Issues: I've been sympathetic on this front since the days when Dr. Renee Richards had the courage to discuss her sex change operation in the 70s. At that time, she was referred to as a transsexual. Today, I think the pace of a whole host of related issues and questions has intensified to such a degree that it's hard to know what is the best course of action. I've read a lot about puberty blockers, cross sex hormones, and what seems to be a rush to dramatically alter the biology of children. I've watched videos of detransitioners who have such anguish about their irreversible past decisions. And yes, I hear the stories of children and young adults in what sounds like hell as they just don't feel right in their body. I know there are bigots out there who don't give a damn about these people but I also believe there are "advocates" who are quick to label anyone who disagrees with them as "transphobic". I admire JK Rowling for presenting what I believe is a compassionate middle ground position. There are many layers to this issue and I'll just mention one: a transgender female playing women's sports. I believe there are enormous biological advantages to being born male and having gone through puberty. I believe it isn't right for them to compete against cisgender women. Some people will rail against me but I think it's the proper position. I could point to other issues that might fall under the woke umbrella but I don't have the time. I will say that one thing that seems to unite those on the extremes is a willingness to label and shout down anyone who disagrees with them. I've read many articles about the chill this has had on free speech at universities. And yes, I'm sure the right has done this, but not as much as the left. The right seem more inclined to engage in book banning, and that issue also has many layers to it as it's a crime to omit the horrors of slavery and all that followed, but I have seen some examples of books in elementary schools that are downright creepy! One other thing, I'm also troubled by the language police (see Brandeis University and it's revamped speech code). Lastly, I should say that this issue is a bit personal given that I've been abandoned by my friend of 55 years because I had the audacity to criticize his positions favoring the abolishment of the police and his support for the burning of buildings in the cities following the death of George Floyd. Again, EEE, this is something best discussed in person, over many hours. People of good will can certainly see things differently here. And the bad actors out there, will surely try to present what are some times isolated incidents as being part of a grand sinister plan that is sweeping the country. I've always been on the left, and I think the left needs to speak up when extremists to our left engage adopt and act upon what I consider to be cotton-headed positions that can have some dangerous consequences. And I know, the forces on the right are feverishly working to destroy democracy, undermine the integrity of our elections, abandon longstanding norms that have served us well, and innumerable other despicable and highly consequential schemes. But you wanted our take on "woke", :) Not sure if I helped or not, sir. Peter T.
Re: Okay, here's one - I would love to read how others define
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EEE, I've thought a lot about this issue, and to really do it justice, to really spell out all of the nuances on a whole host of related issues, I'd need more time than I have today. So I'll be brief, and I'm surely only touching upon the tip of the iceberg. I know "woke" originally meant being aware of the injustices, especially the racial ones here in America. I think the word has evolved in some quarters to mean examples where social justice issues have been taken to an extreme (at least for some Americans). I'll offer a few examples. Trans Issues: I've been sympathetic on this front since the days when Dr. Renee Richards had the courage to discuss her sex change operation in the 70s. At that time, she was referred to as a transsexual. Today, I think the pace of a whole host of related issues and questions has intensified to such a degree that it's hard to know what is the best course of action. I've read a lot about puberty blockers, cross sex hormones, and what seems to be a rush to dramatically alter the biology of children. I've watched videos of detransitioners who have such anguish about their irreversible past decisions. And yes, I hear the stories of children and young adults in what sounds like hell as they just don't feel right in their body. I know there are bigots out there who don't give a damn about these people but I also believe there are "advocates" who are quick to label anyone who disagrees with them as "transphobic". I admire JK Rowling for presenting what I believe is a compassionate middle ground position. There are many layers to this issue and I'll just mention one: a transgender female playing women's sports. I believe there are enormous biological advantages to being born male and having gone through puberty. I believe it isn't right for them to compete against cisgender women. Some people will rail against me but I think it's the proper position. I could point to other issues that might fall under the woke umbrella but I don't have the time. I will say that one thing that seems to unite those on the extremes is a willingness to label and shout down anyone who disagrees with them. I've read many articles about the chill this has had on free speech at universities. And yes, I'm sure the right has done this, but not as much as the left. The right seem more inclined to engage in book banning, and that issue also has many layers to it as it's a crime to omit the horrors of slavery and all that followed, but I have seen some examples of books in elementary schools that are downright creepy! One other thing, I'm also troubled by the language police (see Brandeis University and it's revamped speech code). Lastly, I should say that this issue is a bit personal given that I've been abandoned by my friend of 55 years because I had the audacity to criticize his positions favoring the abolishment of the police and his support for the burning of buildings in the cities following the death of George Floyd. Again, EEE, this is something best discussed in person, over many hours. People of good will can certainly see things differently here. And the bad actors out there, will surely try to present what are some times isolated incidents as being part of a grand sinister plan that is sweeping the country. I've always been on the left, and I think the left needs to speak up when extremists to our left engage adopt and act upon what I consider to be cotton-headed positions that can have some dangerous consequences. And I know, the forces on the right are feverishly working to destroy democracy, undermine the integrity of our elections, abandon longstanding norms that have served us well, and innumerable other despicable and highly consequential schemes. But you wanted our take on "woke", :) Not sure if I helped or not, sir. Peter T.
