It is actually regressive to confuse or intentionally conflate the titles of Progressive or Liberal with what is in fact zealot-ism.
It is a common tactic to try to control narrative and thought by changing the meaning of existing words, contexts and definitions.
The term ‘Woke’ was historically intended to describe a person of color that is aware of the need to identify the existing mechanisms of repression and the need to extricate themselves from a system of racism meant to keep them at a lowered status of humanity.
To use any one of the terms ‘woke’ or ‘leftist’ or ‘liberal’ to belittle or discredit someone is unfortunately common place now.
Some people choose to do it purposefully- to shout down a group of people on the opposing end of the political spectrum as themselves. Others do it more lazily; because it is a simplistic and convenient box to put an annoyance in.
The example of the purposeful assassin would be the abusers of the term ‘Woke’. These people are almost always (but not exclusively) Caucasian and are usually ‘placists’ (someone who is no overtly hateful and racist but does prefer that a certain group just remember their place and remain UN-troublesome) and not necessarily racists. Although, some definite racists like Tucker Carlson or Laura Ingram have adopted the practice.
It was NEVER meant to label any and all people that loudly complain about ANY perceived injustice to ANY perceived victim.
Political operatives that want to dictate the narratives refer to anyone that doesn’t toe the line as being too ‘Woke’ or ‘Leftist’. The sole purpose of that label is to scare the intended people into compliance.
No!
The term has been co-opted!
The second example – someone conflating out of laziness could be illustrated by someone who complains about some specific type of character they want to see in, let’s say a movie, simply because they share some characteristic. That person is considered ‘Woke’ by trolls that make a living off of media feuds. They exhibit intellectual laziness by grouping their supposed adversaries into the simplest categories.
No!
Wanting to see one’s self in media is no indication of any awareness of the system of supremacy. It’s only an indication of personal desire. So, calling everyone woke is disingenuous.
If everything is considered to be ‘Woke’ then it is too easy to say nothing truly is and to discredit everything as superficial.
Zealot ism is a more apt description of a group that may exist within 1to 2 percent of the population that aggressively and actively works to steer the course of the rest of the world. For example; militant feminist groups or LGBTQ advocates that go beyond the idea of basic human rights and freedoms may fall under the label of zealot.
To summarize, all things that are not embraced by the mainstream are not the same as being woke and labeling it that simply to discredit it should be considered an obvious ploy.
It is regressive to call self-righteous zealot-ism the same as being progressive.
STOP!