Smiling Black woman wearing a yellow t-shirt that reads “Woke AF” in bold red and black lettering, standing in a colorful retro kitchen with floral wallpaper and a pastel teal fridge. Represents joy, pride, and conscious self-expression.

Who Said Woke Can’t Be Wonderful?

April 21, 2025

Let’s get one thing clear right up front: Being woke isn’t an insult. It’s a compliment with a conscience.

At Have Fun Spread Joy, we wear the W-word with pride—and we’re not just talking about the bold type on our best-selling tees (though thank you, those look great on you). We’re talking about being awake. Aware. Alive to the world’s mess and its magic. It’s about noticing injustice and choosing joy anyway—on purpose.

So to all the folks muttering “woke” like it’s a four-letter word: Thank you for confirming that joy is a radical act.

🗣️ A Word on “Woke”

Before we go any further, let’s give credit where credit is due.

The term “woke” has its roots in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and has long been used within Black communities as a call to awareness, especially around racial injustice, systemic oppression, and social inequality.

One of its earliest mainstream uses dates back to the 1930s, when Black activist and musician Lead Belly urged listeners to “stay woke” in response to racial violence. Over time, it became shorthand for consciousness, vigilance, and solidarity—well before it was co-opted, commercialized, and tossed around in bad-faith soundbites.

Black-and-white photo of jazz trumpeter Bunk Johnson and folk musician Lead Belly performing at the Stuyvesant Casino in New York City, June 1946. Johnson plays trumpet while Lead Belly strums guitar and sings into a microphone. An American flag hangs in the background. — Portrait of Bunk Johnson, Lead Belly, George Lewis, and Alcide Pavageau at the Stuyvesant Casino, New York, June 1946. (Library of Congress)

So when we say we’re proudly woke, we say it with respect, gratitude, and a deep understanding that it’s more than a trend. It’s a legacy—and one we’re committed to honoring.

😎 Our Kind of Woke Is Loud, Lovely, and a Little Bit Loony

You’ll find it in our “Proudly Woke” shirts.
In the sass of our illustrations.
In every pun, protest, and pop culture reference we lovingly handcraft.

We believe:

Joy is political
Design is a form of protest
And wearing your values is never out of style

Plus, being woke gives you an excellent excuse to correct your uncle at Thanksgiving. So there’s that.

🛍️ Wanna Wear Your Wokeness?

Check out our Proudly Woke Collection—featuring ethically produced goods that say:

“I see what’s happening and I still showed up”
“This is my resistance sweater”
“Yes, I’m that friend who sends voting reminders”

All joyfully made, all deeply unserious about taking ourselves too seriously.

📬 Want More Joy (and Wokeness) in Your Inbox?

We send joyletters (newsletters that don’t suck... promise). Sign up to get first dibs on new drops, behind-the-scenes chaos, and the occasional sticker-worthy pun.

💥 Ready to Wear Your Joy Out Loud?

Our Proudly Woke Collection is where sass meets substance, and every tee, mug, and sticker is a love letter to conscious living, clever design, and joyful rebellion.(Warning: May cause spontaneous compliments and increased confidence.)

Stay woke. Stay joyful. Stay weird.
(And maybe pick up a shirt while you’re here.)

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