Fact check: How has the term 'Woke' been co-opted or redefined by different social and political groups in the US?

1. Summary of the results

The term 'woke' has undergone significant transformation and co-optation by different political groups in the United States. Originally, the term was used by progressive Black Americans to describe being informed and conscious of social injustice and racial inequality ^[1]. However, conservatives have co-opted the term as a pejorative umbrella term for progressive values, often using it with negative connotations to criticize social justice initiatives ^[1].

The evolution has created a battleground in American culture wars, symbolizing deep societal divisions ^[2]. A USA Today/Ipsos poll reveals that Americans are fundamentally divided on whether 'woke' is a compliment or an insult, with differences correlating to party affiliation and age demographics ^[3]. The majority still associates the term with being informed about social injustices rather than being overly politically correct ^[3].

Democrats are experiencing internal conflict over the term's usage. Some party members are moving away from 'woke' language due to its negative associations and perceived role in electoral losses, viewing such terminology as alienating to voters ^{[4] [5]}. However, this shift faces resistance from progressives who argue that abandoning the term represents a concession to conservative criticism ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important perspectives missing from a surface-level understanding of this issue:

• Electoral implications: The term's redefinition has had tangible political consequences, with some attributing Democratic losses in the 2024 election partly to the alienating effect of 'woke' language on voters ^[4].
• Mainstream adoption resistance: Most Americans do not regularly use related 'woke' terminology like 'Latinx' and 'cultural appropriation,' suggesting these concepts remain largely confined to specific political circles rather than achieving broad cultural acceptance ^[6].
• Strategic narrative control: There's a significant debate about who controls the definition. Some progressives argue that the right wing has successfully weaponized and redefined the term, and advocate for reclaiming its original meaning rather than abandoning it entirely ^[7].
• Generational and demographic divides: The polling data indicates that acceptance or rejection of the term varies significantly across age groups and political affiliations, suggesting this is not merely a partisan issue but reflects deeper cultural generational shifts ^[3].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself appears neutral and factual in its framing, appropriately acknowledging that the term has been "co-opted or redefined" rather than making assumptions about the legitimacy of different interpretations.

However, the question could benefit from recognizing that:

• The timeline of this evolution spans several years and continues to develop, with recent electoral cycles intensifying the debate ^[4].
• The co-optation is not merely semantic but has real political and social consequences, affecting electoral outcomes and policy discussions ^{[4] [6]}.
• Both sides have strategic interests in controlling the narrative: conservatives benefit from using 'woke' as a catch-all criticism of progressive policies, while progressives face the challenge of either reclaiming the term or distancing themselves from it to maintain electoral viability ^{[5] [7]}.