How woke went broke

by Janice P. Northcroft

How woke went broke explores the evolution of the word woke – a Black American expression of solidarity which has been dragged through the linguistic mire by the Right. 

Woke’s demise can be considered part of a wider political agenda to suppress activists’ calls for social change. To this end, the essay offers a cautionary tale about the power of language – specifically, the way it can be weaponised to the detriment of minoritised and marginalised people.

Janice P. Northcroft is studying for a master’s in Sociocultural Linguistics at Goldsmiths, and loves to explore the relationship between language, culture and society. She previously worked in marketing for charities and public sector organisations. Through her academic and professional writing, Janice aims to give a voice to minority groups unheard or misunderstood.