Wokeness: Helping or Hurting?

Does wokeness threaten our freedom of expression?

Ah wokeness. The word alone has become as polarizing as pineapple on pizza (though, for the record, pineapple on pizza is disgusting - don’t @ me). Whether you see it as a clarion call for justice or a runaway train of cultural chaos, one thing’s for sure: it’s rattling the foundations of modern political discourse. And nowhere is this more apparent than in Canada, a country whose values and identity are as polite and patchwork as a quilt sewn by a friendly neighbor who apologizes for stitching too tightly.

So, let’s unpack this without the buzzwords or hysteria, eh? Is wokeness ruining the fabric of Canadian values and systems? Is it just another form of extremism? Or is it simply the growing pains of a society striving to be better, albeit maybe a little clumsily?

Yes, one could blame wokeness for the influx of immigrants who’ve moved to Canada - which is not a bad thing. However, it could also be blamed for the rigid and idealistic dogma that no person should have to conform or assimilate into another society - that one should be able to keep their own personal beliefs, values, traditions, and ideologies. Unfortunately, this is not feasible or sustainable. Perhaps it’s the words conform and/or assimilate that they don’t like. Yes, a truly liberal society welcomes immigrants who have their own particular cultures which we don’t share. But, we have values to which every citizen of Canada signs up - including tolerance, freedom of speech, equality for women, freedom of religion, and very importantly, one law for all. Otherwise, multiculturalism doesn’t work. A community cannot function if the participants involved all speak different languages - how would they be able to support one another? A community cannot function if the participants don’t abide by the same laws - too much room for misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and lawlessness. Rather than being a society at all we become a tribal confederation.

Let’s start with the basics. Canada, at its core, prides itself on values like inclusivity, diversity, and fairness. These principles aren’t just written in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms - they’re embroidered into our national psyche. We may grumble about long winters and hockey losses, but we’re generally proud of our multicultural mosaic.

Now, wokeness, in its purest form, aligns beautifully with these values. It calls for marginalized voices to be heard, for equity to be prioritized, and for systemic injustices to be addressed. These are all noble goals that most Canadians would likely support over a double-double at Tim Hortons. So, why the backlash?

The issue arises when wokeness strays from its foundational principles and becomes, dare I say, performative. Picture this: instead of addressing real barriers to equality, some initiatives focus on symbolic gestures that feel like window dressing. Sure, renaming a street or pulling down a statue can spark important conversations, but if that’s where the activism ends, it can feel shallow. It’s all fine and good to agree that colonialism is wrong - but we can’t deny that it’s a part of what made us who we are today. Our histories cannot be erased, but we can certainly try to learn from them. 

Furthermore, some critics argue that wokeness has become a bit…rigid. Our national ethos values free speech and open dialogue. When wokeness veers into a type of cancel culture or ideological purity tests, it risks stifling these freedoms. I hate the name, but ‘cancel culture’ can be wonderful if it promotes accountability and empowers marginalized voices to challenge those in power. But it’s not so great if there is a rush to judgment and no room for explanations or apologies. If someone fears being ostracized for asking a question or expressing a dissenting opinion, how can we have the thoughtful debates necessary for growth? That’s not unifying - it’s polarizing. And for a country built on the idea that differences make us stronger, polarization feels pretty un-Canadian.

So, is wokeness just another form of extremism?

Now, here’s where things get spicy. Critics of wokeness often compare it to extremism, suggesting it’s just as dogmatic as the systems it seeks to dismantle. But is this fair?

Extremism, by definition, operates on an “all or nothing” mentality. It’s rigid, unforgiving, and often blind to nuance. Does wokeness sometimes exhibit these traits? Sure. Have there been moments where well-meaning activism has developed into Twitter (I refuse to call it X) pile-ons or purity politics? Absolutely. But is that the whole picture? Not even close.

Wokeness at its best is about evolution, not extremism. It’s about challenging outdated systems and beliefs in the hope of creating a more inclusive society. Yes, it occasionally overcorrects. Yes, some individuals wield it like a sledgehammer when a scalpel would suffice. But at its heart, it’s an effort to move the needle forward. It’s almost as though it’s striving for Utopia, thinking we have to burn everything down to create it, but not thinking of the consequences of the fire, nor about how to rebuild. Wokeness is a work in progress. It’s learning to balance its passion for justice with the patience and nuance needed to enact meaningful change.

Here’s the thing about Canada: we’re a nation of bridge builders. Our strength lies in our ability to balance competing perspectives and find common ground. This is where wokeness and its critics need to meet - at the intersection of accountability and compassion, progress and pragmatism.

Rather than dismissing wokeness as a threat to Canadian values, I’d like see it as an opportunity to strengthen them. Let’s embrace the call for justice while ensuring it doesn’t come at the expense of dialogue and understanding. Let’s champion inclusivity without falling into the trap of ideological rigidity. Let’s have the courage to admit when we’ve overcorrected and the humility to course-correct when necessary.

To those of you who fear wokeness is a wrecking ball: I hear you, but the Canada you know and love is still there. We just need to work with the “woke” and keep our evolution moving forward. 

To the overly zealous woke warriors: Remember that not everyone who disagrees with you is the enemy. If your activism feels like a hockey fight where everyone ends up in the penalty box, maybe it’s time to reconsider your strategy.

So, let’s keep talking. Let’s keep debating. And above all, let’s keep being the friendly, thoughtful, and practical Canadians we’ve always been. 

Wokeness began as a call to awareness among marginalized communities. In fact, the earliest documented use of the term dates back to the 1930s. A 1938 recording of a song entitled Scottsboro Boys - about nine black teenagers falsely accused or rape in Alabama - offered the advice to “stay woke, keep your eyes open”.

During the 20th century, the idea of staying “woke” became synonymous with awareness of racial injustices, particularly in the United States. It gained traction during the Civil Rights Movement, when activists emphasized the need to be vigilant and informed about the struggles for racial equality. In the 2010s, “woke” reemerged as a key term in the context of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. Over time, “woke” expanded beyond racial issues to encompass broader social justice, including feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, climate justice, and decolonization.

While it retains its roots in justice and equity, its application and interpretation have sparked debates across political and social lines. I want to believe wokeness is the ongoing struggle for awareness, accountability, and action in the face of systemic inequality. Because in my opinion, those aren’t bad things to strive for.

However, in regards to how wokeness is affecting our society right now… I don’t believe it is too far from ruining left-leaning politics, nor from destroying the fabric of Canadian values. While I think it has some great intentions, goals, and aspirations, we are losing too much of ourselves. Yes, we need change. The only constant is change. And perhaps wokeness is challenging us to rethink how we navigate change. But we can’t simply destroy ourselves and the foundations that keep us standing. We have to acknowledge and accept our past, approach it with grace, open-mindedness, and a willingness to actively listen. We have to educate the newer additions to our society, be they Canadian-born or not. In so doing, we must communicate with kindness, and come together for change. Only then can we become a more inclusive and equitable Canada.

Ⓒ February 2025. Beki Lantos. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form by any means without prior written permission of the author.