Yes, I am "Woke." But I do not understand how we, as a society, have let that become a bad thing.
Let me explain; because I think there may be a widely shared misunderstanding of the term.
When I was a kid, one of the things parents, teachers, counselors, and even fellow students drilled in my head over and over again was, treat people with respect. Call people what they want to be called. Address them how they want to be addressed. I still remember the day my dad ripped me a new one, and subsequently grounded me for yelling the word, (negative word for an African American.) "That's just mean, and it's DISRESPECTFUL." he explained. Then one day I observed these two kids being sent to detention for grabbing a girl's breast. "Because women don't like that, it's disrespectful, and a gentleman would never do that!" The principal explained to us. "So don't do it!"
So, basically, I would think that most people (though clearly not everyone) would agree that groping women, yelling racist or homophobic slurs, and basically disrespecting other people is not a good or appropriate thing to do. If you agree with that, then you, too, are "Woke."
So then, why is it considered a bad thing? My theory is this: I think some people ascribe it to a political movement, and automatically associate it with some far-left and dubious political causes. Or they preach some fringe nonsense theory ("They are trying to convert everyone to being gay! They are coming for your children! They are going to replace all of us white folks!" they scream, and not without a certain amount of paranoia and spite.) Or they assume that "Woke" means that if you are NOT a minority, or not homosexual or transgendered, or merely, not a woman, you are supposed to feel some sort of guilt and self-loathing. But that is not it at all! Being "woke" should not have nothing to do with any of that stuff.
It just means, treat everyone as you would be treated, but more importantly, as they wish to be treated. Love thy neighbor as thyself, as Jesus said. (So in that sense, you could say that Jesus Himself was "woke.") Have respect for yourself, and for everyone else around you.
Is this really such a bad thing?