Woke No Longer”: The Weaponization of Awareness and the Urgent Need to Stay Awake in America

Once a rallying cry for Black consciousness and social justice, the term “woke” has been repackaged and politicized—now mocked by those seeking to dull the public’s awareness. From Lead Belly’s 1938 warning to Childish Gambino’s modern anthem, "stay woke" once meant survival, alertness, and resistance to systemic oppression. Today, it’s under attack. When the 47th president proudly proclaimed America would be “woke no longer,” many cheered—not realizing they were embracing ignorance over truth. This piece explores how the term has evolved, been co-opted, and used to silence discussions on race, identity, and inequality. But as history shows, sleep is not an option. In a nation still reckoning with injustice, staying woke isn’t a trend—it’s a necessity. The American nap is a luxury only privilege affords.