This is an opinion column.

“I don’t know what we’re yelling about,” screams Anchorman’s Brick Tamland. After more comedic insights into women in the newsroom, Tamland continues, “Loud Noises!” The brief exchange applies to many of our modern conversations, but arguments over what is and isn’t “woke” undoubtedly take the cake.

After searching many leather-bound books in an apartment that smelled of rich mahogany, I realized “woke” means whatever we’re for or against depending on our personal political perspectives. I’d love to suggest something more sophisticated, but we’ve devolved our national discourse into a sort of bubbling stupidity that periodically erupts with a gaseous “Splort!”

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Let me break it down a little further. Democrats think Republicans are knuckle-dragging idiots, and Republicans think Democrats are know-it-all twits.

Yes, I’m aware that these are sweeping generalizations, but they have broad applicability. We all know it. I’m just writing the quiet part out for everyone to read.

According to Merriam-Webster, “woke” is an adjective that can mean “aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).” The second definition is “politically liberal (as in matters of racial and social justice) especially in a way that is considered unreasonable or extreme.”

So there you have it. The dictionary says that “woke” is both a badge of honor or a hallmark of extremism depending entirely on the context.

Liberals embrace being “woke” as a sign of moral superiority and intellectual enlightenment. They see themselves as champions of diversity, equality, and justice who fight against oppression, bigotry, and ignorance. Adopting the “woke” progressive orthodoxy is the only way to be on the right side of history and to create a better world for everyone.

As an opinion columnist, I respect good faith differences of perspective. The “woke” mob sees it differently.

Dissent from the accepted liberal orthodoxy is tantamount to racism, bigotry, and even hate speech. For example, suggesting that males shouldn’t compete with females in women’s sports isn’t hateful, but it’s characterized as such by “woke” individuals. Merely holding such a traditional perspective casts such an individual into the basket of deplorables.

Being “woke” assumes a righteous perspective of both history and current public policy without the humility to accept that others might reasonably disagree. It’s why I struggle with my Democratic brethren who believe that our disagreements are almost entirely caused by my lack of knowledge. If only I knew what they do, I’d adopt their perspectives.

This is why conservatives so often view liberals as elitist jerks.

Republicans use “woke” as an insult, a synonym for radical progressive extremism and intolerance. “Woke” enemies erode freedom, tradition, and common sense while imposing their orthodoxy and silencing dissent.

That’s also an incredibly loaded viewpoint.

What about a historically sober view of racism in America? Is that “woke” or simply accurate? How about scientific research that Ivermectin is as effective at combating COVID-19 as a placebo? Uncomfortable yet?

While we conservatives are entitled to our own opinions, we can’t develop our own history and facts. Over the last several years, Republicans have ventured dangerously close to the idea that subject matter experts and peer-reviewed research are intellectually equivalent to weird Uncle Eddie’s google searches. That simply isn’t true.

This is why liberals so often view conservatives as gravel-mouthed troglodytes who just want to pick a fight.

“Woke” is the vehicle which allows us to feel morally superior or vindicated in our own perspectives. If Make America Great Again (MAGA) had a sworn mortal enemy, it would be “woke.” The feeling is clearly mutual. Most of us are, to varying degrees, caught in the crossfire. Both camps accuse each other of being dangerous. Neither is interested in a conversation.

There is common ground, but establishing and holding it requires painful introspection.

Liberals need to admit that being “woke” is not always a virtue. When religiously holding a perspective becomes self-righteous and uncritical, it’s toxic. Being “woke” is not immunity to error, bias or hypocrisy. Being “woke” does not create the right to cancel others who disagree. Being “woke” does not magically provide all the answers or solutions to the complex problems we face as a society.

Conservatives need to admit that being “woke” is not always a vice. Sometimes it is an expression of honesty, compassion, and conscience. Being “woke” isn’t the same as hating America or wanting to destroy it. Being “woke” is not a hallmark of ignorance or naiveté about the realities and challenges of the world.

In short, all of us need to get over ourselves.

We’re all righteous Internet warriors pushing the world to freedom and liberty one post at a time. It’s a convenient and comfortable lie, but it’s a lie nonetheless. Our media echo chambers mostly exist to affirm what we already believe. How often has a social media post actually changed your opinion?

I experience this phenomenon every time I write a politically charged column. My inbox is an avalanche of love from folks who agree with the piece. Those who oppose my views wonder why I’ve been allowed to reproduce repeatedly. Every now and then I hear from someone who is concerned I might eat paint chips, but they’d like to have a further discussion.

Those are the moments where I don’t feel like Brick Tamland. The volley of uninteresting loud noises pauses, and I find real conversations and possible relationships. I’m not sure whether it’s “woke” or not, but I know the encounters are usually humanizing.

Engaging each other with humility, curiosity, and respect is tough. It also gives life its meaning and color. We shouldn’t let a tag like “woke” prevent those meaningful interactions from happening regardless of what we believe.

Smith is a recovering political attorney with a house full of boys, two dogs, a bearded dragon, and an extremely patient wife. He’s a partner in a media company, a business strategy wonk, and a regular on talk radio. Please direct outrage or agreement to [email protected] or @DCameronSmith on X.