Séamas O'Reilly: The 'woke' witch-hunt is a meaningless distraction — and nothing new, either

"'Wokeness', like 'political correctness', is little more than a perjorative term to describe standardised decency, and the small, sometimes clumsy, measures taken to achieve mutual respect and esteem in a heterogenous world. To be more aware of, and respectful toward other people’s experiences..."

Séamas O'Reilly. Picture: Orfhlaith Whelan

When I was growing up, it seemed like society had decided it was time to put certain hoary old thoughts and practices to bed. 

Film and TV became marginally more diverse. Governments updated the wording on their websites. Tiny gestures toward compassion and tolerance became policy.