When I hear people describe someone as “woke,” it’s often said dismissively, as if caring about the struggles of others is something to ridicule. But to me, the term “woke” simply means being aware of the realities other people live with—something I’ve come to embody after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and joining the chronic illness community, a group often marginalized and misunderstood. If being “woke” is listening to understand, showing empathy, and advocating for those whose voices are overlooked, then I wear the term as a badge of honor.
- Chronic illness teaches profound lessons: Personal experiences can open pathways to humility, understanding, and bridging gaps between diverse backgrounds.
- Empathy is listening to understand: It’s not just about hearing words but truly connecting with another person’s experience without judgment or preconceived notions.
- Compassion is empathy in action: It’s taking what you’ve understood and turning it into support, kindness, or advocacy for others.
Lessons from Chronic Illness:
Before my diagnosis, I was unaware of the many barriers and stigmas that people in marginalized communities face every day. RA changed my life in ways I never anticipated—it challenged my physical abilities, altered my sense of identity, and revealed how invisible illnesses often go ignored or invalidated. I became acutely aware of how dismissive attitudes, lack of understanding, and systemic obstacles affect millions of people with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or other invisible challenges.
Learning empathy wasn’t a choice—it was a necessity. Navigating life with RA taught me the value of compassion and the power of listening without judgment. When you’re living with a chronic illness or fighting for a diagnosis, you don’t have the privilege to ignore injustice; it’s woven into your experience with no way to avoid it or escape it. I started listening not only to my own struggles but to those of others whose journeys were similar to mine, but different. Whether they faced barriers due to race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or health conditions, their stories resonated deeply and taught me lessons.
- Living with chronic illness sharpens awareness of invisible struggles and helps identify systemic barriers that others face.
- It cultivates patience, resilience, and a willingness to connect with others through shared challenges.
- It creates opportunities for listening across different cultures, ages, and experiences, especially in collaborative roles like being a patient partner in research.
The Bigger Picture:
Through my role as a patient partner in research, this understanding has deepened even further. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside world-class researchers, learning from their expertise while contributing my lived experiences to the dialogue. This role has opened my eyes to the power of diversity in perspectives—listening to others from different cultural backgrounds and walks of life has enriched my understanding of both systemic challenges and potential solutions. Solutions that can only be driven by empathy and compassion. It’s a humbling experience to be part of collaborative efforts that strive for meaningful change in healthcare and people’s lives.
- Empathy means stepping into someone else’s shoes and seeing the world from their perspective. It requires active listening and putting aside biases to connect with the emotions and challenges of others.
- Example: In research settings, empathy allows you to value perspectives from diverse cultural backgrounds, fostering innovative solutions that address unique healthcare needs.
- Compassion builds on empathy by inspiring action—it’s what moves you to help someone in need or support change in systems that perpetuate inequity.
- Example: In healthcare advocacy, compassion drives efforts to fight stigmas, improve accessibility, and ensure that marginalized voices are heard and respected.
DEI: Not just A Trend
What is DEI? Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) aim to create fair, respectful, and supportive environments where individuals from all walks of life feel valued and empowered.
- Diversity: Embraces the unique identities, experiences, and perspectives of people from varied backgrounds, including race, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion, and socioeconomic status. It ensures representation and celebrates differences as strengths.
- Equity: Focuses on providing fair access to resources and opportunities based on individual needs and circumstances. Equity works to dismantle systemic barriers and address disparities to ensure everyone has the support they need to succeed.
- Inclusion: Encourages environments that foster belonging and participation, where individuals feel respected and their voices are heard. Inclusion involves actively creating spaces that welcome and value everyone, regardless of their background or identity.
DEI matters because it reduces disparities, promotes justice, and fosters collaboration and innovation by embracing diverse perspectives. It aligns closely with empathy and compassion by inspiring understanding, kindness, and advocacy for others. When integrated into healthcare, education, or any system, DEI empowers marginalized communities, and uplifts unheard voices.
Listening to Understand, Rather Than to Respond:
Listening to understand, rather than to respond, is one of the greatest lessons chronic illness has taught me. Being part of a marginalized community instills humility—it reminds you that your experience is just one of many, and each person’s story is worthy of acknowledgment. True empathy doesn’t require you to agree or share someone’s experience—it only requires you to care enough to listen and try to understand.
Not being part of a marginalized community that faces systemic injustices is a privilege because it spares individuals from the daily struggles and barriers that marginalized groups often endure. Those with this privilege may not have to worry about being judged or discriminated against because of their identity, health condition, or circumstances. It means having access to opportunities and resources without the added burden of fighting for recognition, equity, or fair treatment. This privilege often allows individuals to navigate the world more freely, without having to consider the societal biases and structural inequities that impact others. Acknowledging this privilege is the first step in building empathy and working toward a more inclusive and equitable society.
Calling Me “Woke” is Not an Insult
Calling someone “woke” as an insult diminishes what it truly means: being awake to the world around you, to injustices, to struggles, and to humanity. It’s not a weakness to care—it’s a strength. In fact, I’d argue that empathy and compassion are some of the most underrated forms of courage.
So no, I don’t call myself “woke”—but I do call myself empathetic, compassionate, and someone who listens to understand. Those qualities didn’t come from a place of privilege; they came from lived experiences of adversity and from connecting with others who’ve endured their own. If “woke” simply means caring for people and advocating for fairness, then being called woke is a compliment I’m happy to accept.
