n the political whirlwind of today’s America, where terms are twisted and repurposed faster than you can say “viral meme,” one Congresswoman is putting her foot down to preserve the true essence of “woke.” That Congresswoman is none other than Barbara Lee of California’s 12th district, who has made it her mission to set the record straight on the historical significance of this powerful term. With Republican lawmakers turning "woke" into a catch-all buzzword for everything they oppose, Lee has stepped up to reclaim its roots in Black history and social justice.

This week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced an official resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives, affirming the term "woke" and its deep connection to the Black liberation movement, social activism, and the ongoing fight for equality in America. Her goal? To counter the Republican narrative, which has distorted "woke" into a caricature of itself and used it as the crux of their anti-progressive agenda, namely through Project 2025.

And let’s be real—Lee knows what she’s talking about. Merriam-Webster even included her in their definition of “woke,” giving credit where credit’s due to one of the key figures who helped bring the term into the mainstream. In response to her GOP counterparts' misguided use of the term, Lee took to the House floor this week to drop some serious knowledge and remind America where "woke" really came from.

A Call to Action, Not a Political Punchline

The resolution, which could very well be framed as a masterclass in historical clarity, doesn’t pull any punches. It highlights the authentic origins of the term, pointing out that its roots go much deeper than pop culture or Twitter spats.

The resolution reads: “Whereas Black history is a critical aspect of United States history and has shaped United States culture, including the evolution of language; Whereas the term ‘woke’ has been similarly misused, as traditional media have reframed ‘woke’ as trendy new slang, eroding its cultural connection and separating the term from its historical grounding in social justice.”

Lee’s resolution does more than just critique; it educates. It recalls Marcus Garvey, one of the most important figures in Black nationalism, whose clarion call of “Wake up Ethiopia! Wake up Africa!” urged people of African descent to rise up and claim their place in history. It also draws from the words of Negro Mine Workers in 1940 who declared, “We were asleep. But we will stay woke from now on,” underscoring the term’s long-standing role in the fight against systemic injustice.

So, when did "woke" stop being about justice and start being a political punchline? According to Congresswoman Lee, it was the moment certain politicians chose to weaponize the word, stripping it of its historical power and turning it into a catch-all for “everything I don’t like.”

Project 2025: The So-Called “Anti-Woke” Agenda

Enter Project 2025, the GOP's strategy to roll back progressive policies under the guise of fighting “wokeness.” But here’s the kicker—Lee's resolution exposes this agenda for what it really is: a thinly veiled attempt to halt the progress made by marginalized communities, particularly Black Americans, in the struggle for equal rights. By opposing "wokeness," Lee argues, the Republicans are essentially opposing awareness—awareness of racism, injustice, and the critical need for social reform.

Lee’s resolution doesn’t shy away from confronting this reality head-on. It pushes back against the ongoing effort to reduce “woke” to a political slur, challenging the GOP to reckon with the deeper significance of the term.

“Woke” is Here to Stay—And It’s a Good Thing

For those who’ve been lulled into thinking that “woke” is just the latest internet buzzword, Lee’s resolution serves as a wake-up call (pun fully intended). The term isn’t just trendy slang; it’s a call to consciousness, a reminder to stay vigilant in the face of oppression. It’s a nod to the generations of Black Americans who have fought for justice, from Garvey to the Civil Rights Movement, and it’s a beacon for future generations to continue that fight.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s resolution may not win her any friends across the aisle, but it’s a necessary defense of language that means something real, something urgent. After all, to be woke is to be awake—and in today’s world, that’s more important than ever.

A Houston Perspective: Why This Matters

As Houstonians, we’re no strangers to the nuances of history, activism, and the struggles for social justice. Our city is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and movements for change. We’ve seen how language, when wielded properly, can uplift a community, and when distorted, can do the opposite. 

Congresswoman Lee’s resolution is more than a political statement—it’s a cultural reckoning, one that asks all of us to reflect on the language we use, the history we inherit, and the justice we strive to create. 

In a time when words are often weaponized, it’s refreshing to see a leader stand up for truth, for history, and for the progress we’ve yet to make. So let’s embrace being “woke”—because at its core, it means we’re paying attention, we’re aware, and we’re committed to making the world a better place. 

To read the full resolution, click here.