One word has become unavoidable on the campaign trail — woke. But what does it really mean and where does it come from? The word has a long and serious history in Black culture.

You don’t have to be African American, however, to feel its history. The word woke is seminal to our larger culture in ways most of us have never understood.

What you refer to as “woke-ism” is old school, political gaslighting. I will keep using “woke” in its proper context. And if you don’t understand it, then maybe the word is not yours to use.

Think you know where 'woke' comes from? Inside the word's musical history – and influence. 'Woke' has been hijacked by white people left and right.