Woke = empathy for people who are different

It’s what it’s always meant.

The rightwingers complaining about it haven’t changed the definition. The people steering their anger just don’t want “the poors” realizing they should be mad at the ruling class. It benefits the wealthy if “the poors” are fighting each other.

“If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.”

LBJ

It’s important to note he wasn’t a proponent of it. He just realized that’s what was happening and why people opposed the Civil Rights movement.