Sir, – It was a particular pleasure to read Joe Humphreys’s insightful and informative article on the use of language in politics (“A question for Willie O’Dea and Sharon Keogan: What exactly do you mean by ‘woke’?”, Unthinkable, March 18th). He references the recent book by Jennifer Mather Saul which examines these issues of political language and expression. He challenges for an explanation of “woke”.
It is easier, I think, to describe the state of mind or emotional attitude represented by anti-woke.
To me, anti-woke denotes a highly reactive expression of conservativism, of strongly expressed and fervently felt antagonism towards change and progress, a desire to retain past certainties and an unwillingness to embrace the challenges of the present and the future. It is generally a keenly felt emotional state.
Anti-woke outlook, as expressed, values tradition, old-fashioned values and a rose-tinted nostalgia. It is the emphatic rejection of that which is “other” or appearing as alien or unfamiliar.
‘Dementia is just one part of who they are. My husband’s underlying personality hasn’t really changed’
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Are Ireland fans getting a raw deal when it comes to Six Nations fixtures?
Should you give pocket money to your children? Conor Pope and Rachel O’Dwyer debate
As such, anti-woke can sometimes be a vote of no confidence in the benefits of social progress, expressing a deep-seated antagonism toward diversity, plurality and to anything which is even slightly redolent of progressiveness. – Yours, etc,
ANTHONY LAYNG,
Dublin 4.
Sir, – Joe Humphreys has no need to ask Willie O’Dea and Sharon Keogan what they mean by “woke”.
He can consult the Oxford English Dictionary, where it is defined as doctrinaire, self-righteous, or pernicious political and social views stereotypically associated with a state of awareness or vigilance. – Yours, etc,
Dr JOHN DOHERTY,
Gaoth Dobhair,
Co Dhún na nGall.
