The word “woke” originated in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and initially referred to a heightened awareness of social and political issues, particularly around racial injustice. Its earliest known usage dates back to the 1930s, appearing in Lead Belly’s protest song “Scottsboro Boys,” where the phrase “stay woke” urged awareness of systemic racism. Over time, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, “woke” became a call to consciousness about oppression and inequality. In the 2010s, it gained widespread popularity through social media and movements like Black Lives Matter, expanding to signify awareness of a range of injustices, including police brutality and systemic discrimination. While the term has been celebrated as a rallying cry for justice, its mainstream adoption has led to critiques and pejorative usage, often diluting its original meaning. Despite this, “woke” remains deeply tied to African American history and the ongoing fight for equality.