There’s nothing wrong with being socially aware and striving for inclusivity — in fact, everyone should.
That being said, sometimes people take it to extremes that feel performative or insincere. Overly “woke” people and those who resort to virtue signalling tend to unintentionally reveal their hand by saying certain things that are more about posturing than genuine belief. After all, the best way to show off your values is to live by them rather than just talking about them, right? If you hear these phrases from someone, their so-called “wokeness” is likely nothing more than a facade.
1. “As an ally, I think…”
While being an ally is commendable, announcing it before every statement can come off as performative. True support doesn’t always need a preface—it’s shown through actions, not labels. When someone repeatedly proclaims their allyship, it can feel more about self-promotion than the cause they’re championing.
2. “I did a lot of research on this topic.”
This often precedes a long-winded explanation that sounds more like a lecture than a conversation. It’s as if they’re trying to prove they’re the most informed person in the room. While knowledge is great, conversations flow better without the need to establish intellectual dominance.
3. “Educate yourself.”
Although valid in some contexts, this can feel dismissive when used as a conversation-ender. Instead of encouraging conversation, it shuts down any opportunity for understanding or growth. It’s a classic hallmark of someone who prioritises sounding woke over actually engaging.
4. “Check your privilege.”
Calling out privilege is important, but throwing this phrase around without context can feel like a buzzword grenade. When overused, it loses its impact and feels like a rehearsed catchphrase rather than a meaningful critique. True change comes from thoughtful discussions, not mic drops.
5. “Not to gatekeep, but…”
If you start a sentence with “not to gatekeep,” you’re probably about to gatekeep. This is often used to claim moral or intellectual superiority over other people. Ironically, it ends up alienating the very people they claim to be inviting into the conversation.
6. “I don’t see colour.”
Source: Unsplash While this phrase might sound inclusive, it actually dismisses the lived experiences of people who do experience racism. Ignoring someone’s identity doesn’t promote equality—it erases their reality. Virtue signallers might say this to seem progressive, but it often has the opposite effect.
7. “Everything is problematic.”
Labelling every minor inconvenience or misstep as “problematic” can dilute the significance of truly harmful behaviours. It’s exhausting to keep up with the ever-expanding list of things that fall into this category. Sometimes, the term feels like a placeholder for deeper thought or context.
8. “I’m just holding space for this conversation.”
This is often used to position themselves as the moral compass of a discussion. While it might sound thoughtful, it can feel overly performative or even condescending. Authentic conversations don’t require someone to announce their “space-holding” efforts—they happen naturally.
9. “We should cancel them immediately.”
Source: Unsplash The eagerness to “cancel” someone for a mistake, often without context or room for growth, is a telltale sign of performative wokeness. Accountability is important, but a rush to judgement doesn’t encourage real change. Cancel culture without conversation often feels more about punishment than progress.
10. “This is giving [insert buzzword here].”
Virtue signallers love using trendy phrases like “this is giving colonialism” or “this is giving toxic masculinity” without much elaboration. While these terms can spark important conversations, throwing them around without depth can make them sound shallow. It often feels more like a performance than genuine insight.
11. “As a [insert identity], I think…”
Source: Unsplash While sharing personal experiences is valuable, this can sometimes be used to shut down other people’s points of view. It positions their view as the only valid one in the room, even when the topic has multiple layers. True wokeness embraces nuance, not just personal authority.
12. “If you don’t agree, you’re part of the problem.”
Disagreement isn’t inherently harmful—it’s how progress happens through dialogue and debate. Labelling dissenters as the enemy creates unnecessary division, and that kind of all-or-nothing thinking is a sign of someone more interested in sounding righteous than creating understanding.
13. “I’m so exhausted by educating people.”
While it’s valid to feel drained, constantly announcing how exhausting it is to educate people can feel like martyrdom. If someone truly doesn’t have the energy to engage, it’s okay to step back without the grand declaration. Genuine change often happens through quiet persistence, not loud complaints.
14. “This is why we need to dismantle capitalism.”
While critiquing capitalism is fair, blaming it for every minor issue can feel like overkill. It’s a complex topic that deserves depth, but overly woke people often drop it into conversations as a catch-all solution. Such a massive oversimplification doesn’t do justice to the nuanced discussions the topic requires.
15. “Let me unpack that for you.”
This can sound condescending, as if the other person can’t understand their own point without assistance. It positions them as the authority in the discussion, even when it’s not warranted. Authentic exchanges thrive on mutual respect, not intellectual posturing.
16. “No one asked, but…”
Ironically, this is often used to interject opinions that don’t add much to the discussion. It’s a way of presenting their perspective as inherently valuable, even when it’s unprompted. True impact doesn’t require announcing oneself—it speaks for itself.
