Democracy is a living, evolving system by its very nature. It is not static, nor should it be. For a democracy to thrive, it must adapt to its people’s ever-changing needs and values.

Throughout history, changes to our organized democracy have often been driven by those who were aware—those who saw injustice, inequality, or oppression and decided to act. Today, we use the term woke to describe this heightened awareness about social issues.

Before this word entered the cultural lexicon, we had other ways to define consciousness—whether we called it “enlightened,” “progressive,” or simply “aware.” Being woke literally means being awake and alert to the realities around us.

But what is the opposite of woke?

If being woke means being aware and proactive, the opposite must be remaining asleep—ignoring the injustices in the world, turning a blind eye to the struggles of others, and accepting the status quo—even when it is deeply flawed.

History has shown us that being awake to the need for justice and equality is essential for democracy to advance and for society to grow.

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Here are five times history was changed thanks to woke Americans fighting for change

#1 The Abolition of Slavery
Context: By the late 18th century, industrialization had increased the demand for labor, while Enlightenment ideas about human rights were gaining momentum. Slavery was being questioned on moral, economic, and political grounds.
Against: Abolitionists saw slavery as morally indefensible, fighting for human dignity and freedom.	For: Slaveholders and politicians justified slavery as essential for economic prosperity, particularly in the southern United States and colonies dependent on agriculture.
The Change: Abolitionists became increasingly “woke” to the horrors of slavery through publications like Uncle Tom’s Cabin and speeches by former slaves like Frederick Douglass. Their awareness empowered them to rally public support, pressuring governments to act. In the United States, this culminated in the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, which freed slaves in Confederate states, and ultimately, the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865, which abolished slavery nationwide. Even after these legal victories, the fight continued through Reconstruction and into the 20th century as the Civil Rights Movement sought to fulfill the promise of true equality.

While the abolition of slavery marked a monumental change, it triggered a series of legal and political struggles that continue to influence U.S. politics, including the way presidential elections are structured today. Here’s a look at a few:

Reconstruction Amendments (14th and 15th Amendments): Following the 13th Amendment, the 14th Amendment (1868) was passed to grant citizenship to formerly enslaved people and ensure equal protection under the law. The 15th Amendment (1870) followed, giving African American men the right to vote. However, these rights were undermined by Jim Crow laws and racial violence in the South.

The Electoral College and the Three-Fifths Compromise: The Electoral College, created during the Constitutional Convention, was partly a product of slavery. The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed Southern states to count enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and electoral votes, giving the South disproportionate power in presidential elections. After the abolition of slavery, formerly enslaved people were fully counted in the population, shifting political power but also sparking backlash that eventually led to segregation and disenfranchisement through poll taxes, literacy tests, and other discriminatory practices. Today, the Electoral College still reflects historical power dynamics, including remnants of this era, as it was designed to balance power between the populous and less populous states.

Current Debates on Electoral College Reform: The abolition of slavery and subsequent changes in voting rights have fueled ongoing debates about the fairness of the Electoral College. Critics argue that it perpetuates inequalities rooted in its origins, as it can allow candidates to win the presidency without winning the popular vote. Proposals for reform, such as the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, have been introduced, but the Electoral College remains a controversial institution with ties to the nation’s legacy of slavery.

Civil Rights Legislation: The struggle for equality continued long after the Civil War, culminating in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 sought to enforce the promises of the 14th and 15th Amendments, providing legal protections for African Americans and other marginalized groups who faced systemic discrimination.

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act: Building on the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and in response to recent efforts to suppress the votes of marginalized communities, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act was introduced in Congress. Named after civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis, the Act seeks to restore provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that were weakened by the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder. The Shelby decision effectively removed federal oversight of election laws in states with a history of racial discrimination, leading to a wave of restrictive voting laws.

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#2 The Women’s Suffrage Movement
Context: In the 19th century, women were excluded from voting, owning property, and holding positions of power: industrialization, urbanization, and growing demands for rights led to increased awareness of gender inequality.
Against: Opponents believed that women belonged in the private sphere of the home and lacked the intellect or temperament for politics.	For: Suffragists argued for equal political rights, particularly the right to vote.
The Change: Social consciousness around women’s societal roles grew, especially during wartime when women took on more public roles in industrial labor and essential services. This increased participation highlighted the contradictions of denying women the right to vote. Activists like Susan B. Anthony helped wake people up to the idea that democracy was incomplete without women’s full participation, leading to landmark changes like the 19th Amendment in the U.S., which granted women the right to vote.

Women have continued to fight for equity and safety. Some of the key issues include:

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA): The ERA, first proposed in 1923, guarantees equal legal rights for all American citizens, regardless of sex. While Congress passed the ERA in 1972, it has not yet been ratified by enough states to become part of the U.S. Constitution, though renewed efforts to revive the amendment continue.

Pay Equity: The fight for equal pay for equal work is ongoing. Legislation like the Paycheck Fairness Act, which aims to close the gender wage gap by ensuring more stringent pay equity standards and protections for workers, has yet to be fully enacted at the federal level.

Reproductive Rights: Women’s reproductive rights remain a major issue, particularly following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022), which overturned Roe v. Wade. Legislative battles over access to abortion, contraception, and comprehensive reproductive healthcare continue at both the state and federal levels.

Parental Leave and Childcare: The U.S. lags many other countries in offering paid parental leave and affordable childcare options. Advocates continue to push for legislation like the FAMILY Act to create a national paid family and medical leave insurance program.

Violence Against Women: While the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has been an essential tool in addressing domestic violence and sexual assault, advocates continue to push for stronger protections, particularly for marginalized groups like Indigenous women and the LGBTQ+ community.

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#3 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Context: After World War II, the world was grappling with the atrocities committed during the Holocaust and other wartime human rights violations. There was a growing consensus that global human rights protections were needed.
Against: Skeptics, particularly authoritarian states, feared such a declaration would interfere with national sovereignty and political control.	For: Proponents of the Universal Declaration believed that a global framework for human rights would prevent future atrocities.
The Change: After the horrors of war, the world “woke” to the need for universal human rights. This collective awakening drove the establishment of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, setting a new global standard for protecting human dignity.

The establishment of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was driven by this collective awakening, setting a new global standard for protecting human dignity. This international shift in consciousness laid the groundwork that built on the UDHR’s principles:

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): One of the most significant follow-ups to the UDHR, the ICCPR, adopted in 1966, legally bound signatory countries to respect civil and political rights such as the right to free speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to a fair trial. This treaty turned the UDHR’s principles into enforceable obligations for nations.

International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR): Adopted in 1966, the ICESCR focuses on guaranteeing economic, social, and cultural rights such as the right to education, healthcare, and an adequate standard of living. This marked a further commitment to ensure that basic human needs were recognized as fundamental rights.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW): Adopted in 1979, CEDAW is often called an international bill of rights for women. It was a direct result of the growing awareness of gender-based discrimination and the global push to enshrine women’s rights as human rights.

Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC): Adopted in 1989, the CRC is one of the most ratified human rights treaties globally. It focuses on protecting children’s rights, including their right to education, healthcare, and protection from abuse and exploitation. This reflects the world’s growing “wokeness” to children’s specific vulnerabilities.

The Genocide Convention (1948): Shortly after the UDHR, the UN adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. It was born out of the international horror of the Holocaust and established genocide as a crime under international law, with obligations for signatories to prevent and punish it.

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR): Established in 1950, the ECHR incorporated many principles of the UDHR and created the European Court of Human Rights, allowing individuals to bring cases directly against states for human rights violations. A critical regional development brought the UDHR’s ideas into enforceable law for Europe.

National Human Rights Legislation: Many countries passed domestic laws mirrored the UDHR. For instance, in the United States, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were both influenced by the international movement for human rights, echoing the UDHR’s principles of equality and non-discrimination.

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Context: In the 1960s, the U.S. government’s involvement in Vietnam escalated despite widespread public dissent. Many Americans, particularly students, began questioning the war’s rationale and human cost.
Context: In the 1960s, the U.S. government’s involvement in Vietnam escalated despite widespread public dissent. Many Americans, particularly students, began to question the rationale for the war and its human cost.
Against: Anti-war activists called for an end to U.S. involvement, viewing the war as an imperialist, unjust conflict.	For: The U.S. government and its supporters argued that military intervention was necessary to prevent the spread of communism.
The Change: The anti-war movement, fueled by rising awareness of the war’s human toll and the government’s dishonesty (as revealed by the Pentagon Papers), woke the American public to the need for change. Mass protests and public outcry eventually pressured the government to withdraw from Vietnam.

While the movement didn’t produce immediate large-scale legislative changes, it set in motion shifts that have affected U.S. military policy, transparency, and the role of public opinion in shaping government decisions on war. Some examples:

War Powers Act (1973): One of the most direct legislative outcomes of the Vietnam War was the War Powers Act, passed by Congress in 1973. The law aimed to limit the president’s ability to commit U.S. forces to armed conflict without the consent of Congress. It was a response to the way the Vietnam War escalated without clear congressional approval and an effort to prevent future wars from being launched or prolonged without public and legislative oversight.
The War Powers Act is still in effect today and continues to be referenced in debates about U.S. military interventions, even though its enforcement has been inconsistent.

Transparency and Public Accountability: The release of the Pentagon Papers in 1971, which exposed years of government dishonesty about the Vietnam War, led to widespread demands for greater transparency in government decision-making. This cultural shift pushed Congress and the media to hold the executive branch more accountable for its foreign policy decisions. Investigative journalism became a critical tool for uncovering government misconduct in the following years, contributing to reforms such as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) amendments in 1974, making it easier for the public to access government documents.

Repeal of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: The 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution effectively gave the president carte blanche to escalate the Vietnam War. In 1970, as public opposition to the war grew, Congress repealed the resolution, symbolizing a shift in the legislative branch’s willingness to authorize unchecked military power.

Shift in Public Opinion and Military Policy: The anti-war movement permanently shifted how the American public and policymakers viewed war. Public skepticism toward government claims of military necessity grew, leading to what is often called the “Vietnam Syndrome”—a general reluctance to engage in prolonged military conflicts without clear objectives or public support. This attitude influenced U.S. foreign policy for decades, from the cautious approach to intervention in the 1980s to the intense debate over the Iraq War in the early 2000s.

Veterans’ Rights and Mental Health Awareness: After the Vietnam War, awareness of the struggles faced by returning veterans, including PTSD and other mental health issues, led to greater advocacy for veterans’ rights. The Vietnam War Veterans’ Readjustment Act of 1974 expanded benefits for veterans, including educational assistance and healthcare. While not directly tied to the anti-war movement, the broader public awakening to the human costs of war played a role in pushing for better treatment of veterans.

Repeal of the Military Draft: In part due to the mass protests and public outcry over the draft during the Vietnam War, the U.S. government ended the draft in 1973, transitioning to an all-volunteer military. The abolition of the draft was a significant shift in U.S. military policy. It was influenced by the anti-war movement’s pressure on the government to rethink how it raised forces for conflicts.

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#5 The #MeToo Movement
Context: The #MeToo movement emerged in 2017 against the backdrop of increasing awareness of sexual harassment and assault, particularly in industries like entertainment, politics, and business. The silence surrounding these issues was finally breaking.
Against: Detractors dismissed allegations as overblown or politically motivated, and some feared it would lead to false accusations.	For: Survivors and allies demanded accountability and cultural change to prevent harassment and abuse.
The Change: Through social media, #MeToo created a collective consciousness around the pervasiveness of sexual misconduct. This widespread awakening empowered survivors to share their stories, leading to increased workplace accountability, legal reforms, and a shift in societal norms.

The #MeToo movement led to significant changes in workplace accountability, legal reforms, and broader societal shifts in how sexual misconduct is addressed. Here are some examples:

Workplace Policies and Accountability: One of the most immediate impacts of the #MeToo movement was overhauling corporate policies regarding sexual harassment. Many companies adopted stronger anti-harassment policies, established more transparent reporting procedures, and implemented mandatory training programs to address workplace misconduct.

Ended Forced Arbitration for Sexual Harassment Claims: In 2022, the U.S. Congress passed a law that ended the use of forced arbitration clauses in cases of sexual harassment and assault, a practice that had previously allowed companies to keep such cases out of public courts and away from scrutiny.

State-Level Reforms: Many states have passed laws extending the statute of limitations for filing sexual assault or harassment claims. For example, New York’s Adult Survivors Act opened a one-year window for survivors of sexual abuse to bring civil claims, even if the statute of limitations had expired.

Workplace Harassment Laws: States like California strengthened laws requiring companies to provide anti-harassment training and expanded protections for contract workers and freelancers, often left out of previous protections.

Cultural and Societal Shifts: The #MeToo movement fundamentally changed how society views and responds to sexual misconduct. The movement created a new standard of accountability for public figures and powerful individuals previously shielded by their positions of authority. High-profile cases, such as those involving Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, and other influential figures, resulted in criminal charges, convictions, and long-term societal consequences.

Global Impact: #MeToo inspired similar movements worldwide, such as #BalanceTonPorc in France and #YoTambien in Latin America. These movements raised awareness of sexual harassment and assault in other cultural contexts. They led to reforms and legal changes in various countries, focusing on workplace protections, gender equality, and victims’ rights.

Increased Awareness of Non-Traditional Workplaces: The movement highlighted workers’ vulnerabilities in industries with less formal oversight, such as hospitality, agriculture, and domestic work. Advocacy organizations have since worked to extend legal protections and support networks to these workers, many of whom face higher harassment risks but lack access to traditional HR protections.

Gender Equality and Leadership Changes: The wave of accountability also resulted in changes in leadership in many organizations. Numerous high-profile figures in politics, entertainment, media, and business were forced to step down or were removed from their positions after allegations of misconduct came to light, leading to a broader conversation about leadership, ethics, and the need for diversity at the highest levels of organizations.

Being Woke is Good for Democracy and Good for the People

At the heart of democracy is the belief that we can create a better, fairer world where justice, economic opportunity, civil rights, and human dignity are accessible to all. However, achieving that vision requires people to stop sleeping through history. It calls on those willing to stay awake, be conscious of others’ struggles, and fight for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for everyone.

To be woke is to carry that torch forward, challenge the systems that hinder progress, and work tirelessly toward a more just world. Today, as in every pivotal moment in history, we need people who are awake, people who are willing to be part of the ever-evolving democracy we aspire to build—one that serves the many, not just the few.

Let us all be among those who keep their eyes open, seek justice, and embrace the responsibility of living in a democracy.