Being Woke is the perfect fit regarding our concluding topic of Wokeness and Activism within Asian Americans. As we discuss wokeness, it is defined in the reading in many different ways but overall mentions how wokeness is the “critical consciousness to intersecting systems of oppression [and] acknowledging the oppression that exists in individual and collective experiences” (Ashlee, Zamora & Karikari 2017). This definition starts off by discussing how we must first realize that the system has always been made to oppress us not only externally but also internally. We have to constantly make an effort to be aware of ourselves and understanding why we think and act the way we do as individuals and as a community. This realization and this “wokeness” of this type of knowledge is a privilege that ignites individuals to take a stand and finally use the voices that we’re taught not to have. As Asian Americans we have always been raised to be silenced and to be “good.” We were taught to simply accept what is given to us and to live in fear so we never question why things are the way they are. But with this way of thinking we cannot change what we choose not to confront. When we think “this is just how it is” we are simply accepting the injustices happening in communities all around us and by turning a blind eye and staying quiet, we are supporting the oppressors. The reading also mentions that “[T]he machine will try to grind us into dust anyway, whether or not we speak, so we might as well speak and act” (Lorde, 1983). Staying silent will do more harm than good and we must take the initiative in ourselves to be aware, educate the rest of our communities, and “be woke” but we must also take our knowledge and transform this into action. We must keep questioning the system, fighting for what we believe in, telling the narratives of our people, our history, our truths and looking at the bigger picture and finding that greater purpose in standing in solidarity for change for all of us.
“We envision a revolution in which our defiance and strength will mirror the warriors that came before us and inspire all those that will follow to establish tangible change” (Valverde 3). Many have fought, sacrificed, and challenged against the system before us to get to where we are today. Resistance runs in our veins and it is up to us to now continue their legacy of being fighters in our communities against those who want to see us fail. I’m extremely grateful to have had the chance to have learned what I did this class and I’m excited to see how much more I can learn, grow, and do when taking ASA189 with Valverde next quarter!
Question: For those who choose not to take action since certain injustices may not affect them, how can
we then empower them to change their ways and stand in solidarity for those who need the help?References:
Dariotis, W. M & Valverde, K. L. (n.d.). Academics Awaken: Power, Resistance, and Being Woke
Marcella. (2012, June 25). Oppression breeds resistance, resistance brings freedom.
Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcella_bona/7443576348
References:
Dariotis, W. M & Valverde, K. L. (n.d.). Academics Awaken: Power, Resistance, and Being Woke
Marcella. (2012, June 25). Oppression breeds resistance, resistance brings freedom.
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