The story of America is, in large part, an ongoing saga the conclusion of which has yet to be fully written. Founded on principles of freedom and equality, the United States of America has yet to arrive at the place where those founding principles are manifest for all of its citizens and in all areas of societal endeavor. That said, we cannot deny the reality that our so-called “Founding Fathers” established tools that we as citizens can use to compel needed change, to move our nation toward the manifestation of its founding principles to the benefit of all of its citizens, and to write new, progressive chapters in the American saga. We are frustrated, however, by impediments to such an effort that seem tragically self-inflicted. Far to many of us demonstrate ignorance about how America’s societal tools and mechanisms actually work. We struggle to consider our challenges in the holistic manner that leads to better considered solutions. We ignore challenges that don’t directly impact our lives and we allow ourselves to be swayed by appeals to our fears and prejudices.
WokeCitizen is a modest contribution toward combatting those impediments. To be fully “Woke” is to:
- Fully understand the implications of a vote….or a non-vote
- Demonstrate understanding of the facts and consequences of history and the connectedness of history to modern cultural realities
- Hold a healthy contempt for ignorance, mendacity, duplicity, avarice, hypocrisy and bigotry
- Seek to understand the structure and function of government at federal, state and local levels
- Recognize the citizenship and basic humanity of all persons regardless of race, creed, color, faith walk, gender, national ancestry, sexual orientation or physical ability
- Hold oneself accountable for one’s interaction with and impact on the surrounding environment and on those with whom one shares that environment
- Respect difference with a non-hierarchical perspective
- Acknowledge that circumstance confers no exemption from individual accountability and responsibility
- Respect the law while not hesitating to protest those areas where the law – and the administration thereof – is disconnected from justice and collective well-being
- Demonstrate intellectual curiosity about economic activity and the societal implications of economic decision making
We hope for this site to become a forum for the fully woke. While the venting of grievances is tolerated, we hope to be more than a mere vehicle for such venting. We hope that woke citizens contribute to the dialogue. We hope that those who read the contributions on this site come away at least a little better informed and make their own contributions.
WokeCitizen 