ELI5: what is woke

"Woke" means being aware of unfair treatment and discrimination in the world, especially towards groups who often face challenges.

Imagine you're playing a game of tag. Being woke is like noticing that one kid is always "it" because the other kids don't like him, even though it's supposed to be fair and everyone should take turns.

It's about paying attention to things that aren't always obvious:

• Like seeing that some kids in your class don't have the same opportunities as others, like not having enough food at home or not being able to afford new shoes.
• Or noticing that in your favorite cartoon, all the princesses look the same and none of them look like you or your friends.

For example, if you hear someone making a joke that makes fun of someone else because of their skin color or where they come from, being woke means you recognize that the joke is hurtful and unfair. It's about understanding that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and that we should try to make the world a fairer place for everyone, even in small ways. It’s basically about being kind and thoughtful, and realizing that some people need extra support because life isn't always easy for them.