In war, there are casualties. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “war on woke” is no exception, writes Dean Obeidallah, as groups cancel gatherings in the state.

Governor DeSantis’s policies targeting the LGBTQ community, restricting academic freedom, and banning diversity programs have negatively impacted Florida’s economy. Several organizations have canceled conventions and events in Orlando due to concerns over DeSantis’s “anti-woke” agenda, resulting in an estimated $20 million loss in revenue for the state. Despite this, DeSantis’s spokesperson dismissed the economic impact as a “media-driven stunt.” However, boycotts in the past have caused enough economic pain to lead to policy changes, so organizations avoiding Florida are doing the right thing by not spending money there while these policies remain in place.

    • CoderKatEnglish
      45·
      1 year ago

      Fortunately for everyone, they had to define “woke” during a court case.

      DeSantis’ general counsel, Ryan Newman, responded that the term means “the belief there are systemic injustices in American society and the need to address them.”

      So there we have it. Recognizing the flaws in the justice system and throughout society is woke.

    • Psythik
      21·
      1 year ago

      It means that you’re aware of the social and racial issues that exist in America and the world. So to be anti-woke means to be willingly ignorant.

    • effingnerd@beehaw.orgEnglish
      12·
      1 year ago

      Everytime I see or hear “woke” I mentally replace it with compassion/ate to get a true gauge of what the speaker really feels.

      • NotYourSocialWorker@feddit.nu
        4·
        1 year ago

        I remember the time they called it woke to learn empathy for others in school.

        They truly are the “fick you, i got mine” generation.

    • StringTheory@beehaw.orgEnglish
      4·
      1 year ago

      I read Ryan Newman’s definition and was all, “yup. I’m woke, baybeeeee.”

      Edit: replied to the wrong post, sorry