Wokeness & Universal Values: The Principles We Share
Rediscovering Our Shared Humanity: How Wokeness Reflects Timeless Values Across Cultures and Beliefs
Wokeness, at its core, is about aligning with universal values that have been celebrated across cultures, faiths, and traditions for millennia. Principles such as fairness, kindness, empathy, and justice—values that most people hold dear—form the foundation of what it means to be “woke.” Despite attempts to distort or demonise it, wokeness simply asks us to recognise our shared humanity, acknowledge injustices, and work together to create systems that allow everyone to thrive.
Whether it’s the golden rule of treating others as we wish to be treated, the belief in dignity and opportunity for all, or the desire to leave the world better for future generations, wokeness is a modern articulation of these timeless ideals. It is not a radical or divisive concept; rather, it is a commitment to ensuring that these universal values guide how we live, work, and connect with one another. To understand the power of wokeness, we can look at how its principles align with the teachings of major faiths, cultures, and traditions throughout history.
How Fear is Weaponised Against Universal Values
The far right, figures like Elon Musk, and others waging an anti-wokeness war are not just attacking a label—they’re attacking the universal values that bind us together as human beings. Their rhetoric relies on fear, division, and disinformation to frame wokeness as a threat, distracting people from its true substance. What they are really saying is this: ignore fairness, fear kindness, and reject empathy. By demonising wokeness, they attempt to erode the principles of justice and collaboration that most of us hold dear.
The truth is, wokeness is simply a modern term for values that have always been at the heart of humanity’s greatest teachings—kindness, fairness, inclusion, and accountability. When you strip away the label and focus on the substance, wokeness is about amplifying what unites us. The far right doesn’t want people to see this. Their goal is to keep us divided and distracted, to maintain systems of power that benefit the few at the expense of the many. Recognising this strategy is the first step in reclaiming wokeness as a force for good and unity.
Wokeness and the Golden Rule
The golden rule—treating others as we wish to be treated—is a principle shared by nearly every major religion and philosophy. In Christianity, Jesus teaches, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:31). Similarly, Islam emphasises in the Hadith: “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” Hinduism’s Mahabharata contains a similar message: “This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.”
Wokeness echoes this ethic of reciprocity by advocating for fairness and empathy in our treatment of others. It asks us to consider how our actions, policies, and systems impact people, particularly those who have been historically marginalised. Much like these religious teachings, wokeness calls us to think beyond ourselves and recognise the interconnectedness of humanity.
The Value of Justice Across Cultures
Justice is another universal value at the heart of wokeness. In Judaism, the principle of tzedek (righteousness) underscores the importance of building a just and equitable society. The Torah commands followers to “pursue justice” (Deuteronomy 16:20) as a moral imperative. Similarly, in Confucianism, the concept of yi represents moral righteousness and the duty to act in ways that benefit society as a whole.
Wokeness carries forward this timeless call for justice. It seeks to rectify inequalities and address systemic wrongs—whether it’s advocating for racial equity, gender equality, or environmental sustainability. By confronting injustice and seeking fairness, wokeness reinforces a principle that has been central to human civilization for millennia.
Empathy and Compassion: Universal Pillars of Humanity
Empathy and compassion are celebrated across spiritual and cultural traditions as essential to building harmonious communities. In Buddhism, compassion (karuna) is one of the Four Immeasurables, guiding practitioners to alleviate the suffering of others. Indigenous cultures around the world, such as the First Nations peoples of Australia, emphasise the importance of community and mutual care. The African philosophy of Ubuntu captures this beautifully: “I am because we are.”
Wokeness embodies this same principle of compassion. By amplifying marginalised voices and advocating for systemic changes that reduce harm, it centres the importance of empathy. It encourages us to listen to others’ experiences and work collaboratively to create a more inclusive world.
Sustainability: A Shared Responsibility
Another core tenet of wokeness is the belief that we have a responsibility to care for the planet and ensure its sustainability for future generations. This aligns with many indigenous traditions that view the Earth as sacred. For example, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s “Seventh Generation Principle” teaches that decisions made today should benefit those seven generations into the future. Similarly, Islamic teachings encourage stewardship of the Earth, with the Quran stating, “Do not cause corruption on the Earth after its restoration” (7:56).
Wokeness amplifies this interconnected worldview by addressing the urgent need for environmental justice. It recognises that sustainability is not just about preserving nature but about ensuring equitable access to resources and safeguarding the planet for everyone.
Challenging Division Through Shared Values
One of the most significant critiques of wokeness is that it creates division. However, this perception often arises from misunderstandings or misrepresentations of what wokeness stands for. By reframing wokeness as an extension of the universal values people already hold dear, we can break down barriers and foster unity.
For example, people who fear wokeness as a threat to “traditional values” can be reminded that wokeness doesn’t aim to erase traditions—it seeks to ensure that traditions evolve to reflect fairness and inclusivity. Wokeness doesn’t cancel culture; it enriches it by making space for more voices and perspectives.
By focusing on shared values—such as fairness, justice, and kindness—we can show how wokeness aligns with principles that most people already believe in. This approach can help destigmatise wokeness and present it as a unifying force rather than a divisive one.
Wokeness: A Bridge to a Better Future
Far from being a radical or threatening ideology, wokeness is a continuation of humanity’s collective pursuit of fairness, empathy, and justice. It builds on the values that have guided societies for centuries and applies them to the modern challenges we face. By recognising our shared humanity and striving to create systems that uplift everyone, wokeness offers a pathway to a better, more inclusive future.
To those who have been told to fear wokeness, we can offer this perspective: wokeness is not about division—it’s about connection. It’s a call to live out the values we hold most dear, from kindness and compassion to justice and sustainability. By embracing wokeness as a unifying force, we can work together to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
The time has come to move beyond fear and misunderstandings. Let’s reframe wokeness for what it truly is: a superpower rooted in universal values, ready to bridge divides and build a fairer, more compassionate world.
This is all good, but I don't think that 'woke' is the hill that progressives (or any non-far-right reactionary conservative) wants to die on. 'Woke' sounds a bit silly, and it's been impugned into a term that can now be an automatic turn-off. I wonder if 'fairness' is better, like the old-school idea of 'a fair go'?
Also, while it's great that you're talking about why this political argument is being held, I fear that that argument in itself is part of the trap that the anti-woke brigade sets.
Perhaps as we (as a society) have become aware of systemic injustices, it's been too easy to talk about these issues endlessly and to not spend enough time doing something about it.
So if 'action is the antidote', perhaps we should be focusing on that?
Some examples that come to mind include charities in the UK that encourage more Muslim women ride to bikes - people at grassroots level helping addressing some of the specific cultural barriers to this cheap and healthy form of mass mobility. Another is hearing about how the Greens campaigned in Brisbane that led to their wins in 2022, and that their campaigns involved some kind of community service first and politics second.
Either way, yes, we should be heroically reclaiming from the far-right the basic decency of giving a shit about other people. Besides, they were only ever pretending.