I learned early on that many words in the English language can have double meanings. Sometimes it’s based around how you use the word, and other times it could simply be based on the tone of your voice (think cursing). I didn’t know, however, that words could simply lose the entirety of their meaning - or mean whatever it is the reader would like the words to mean. Especially when they’re politically charged. There are multiple examples of these words that’ve been tossed around in the last few years, guiding me towards this conclusion. The first word (or term) is “antifa”, which, from my understanding, and based on word dissection, is simply an abbreviation for antifascism. Aren’t most of us antifascist? I hope so. Somehow, however, the term became politically charged and the meaning was lost in the virtual shouting match where the loudest voice, not those weighted down with intelligence, seem to garner the most attention.
There’s been reports over the past several decades that fascism is on the rise, routinely exacerbated by politicians who’ve seemingly given up on the educated populace and alternatively focuses on those who’s struggles keep them bitter and poorly positioned to change their lots.
Getting back to the actual word, I’m not sure how to engage around the meaning, simply because I thought that the term, basically, defined itself. I now know that that isn’t the case. People have aligned their personal political ideologies with the term so intently that they seem to be arguing for fascism. I’ve tried engaging around this principle, but I’m always taken down some rabbit hole wholly unrelated to the original term being discussed.
Another word that is struggling to hold onto its meaning is ‘woke’. I was never a big fan of the term, but when I first heard the term I was led to believe that it was a reference to people who stayed aware of what was going on around them, educated themselves and voiced their concerns. I thought that this was a good thing. Unfortunately this term, too, has become politically charged, and to be woke, or aware, of what’s going on around you apparently isn’t good, at least to some. I’ve heard multiple politicians over recent years state that ‘woke is bad’ or ‘our state is where woke comes to die’. My interpretation of the aforementioned statements by our increasingly nefarious leaders is their plea to the public to continue living uninformed lives, blindly following the typically morally bankrupt guidance of these same leaders, which are designed to enhance their own personal wealth and that of their network.
The crux of their banter: avoid reading, especially history.
From a historical account, if you’re even semi 'woke', or if you have been at any point in your life, you know that this type of blind faith in self serving leadership leads to bad outcomes. I guess the silver lining rests in the fact that none of us will have to worry about being woke or anti fascist then.
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