Woke: These Bitches Are Crazy!

[DISCLAIMER]

From 2012 to 2014, I engaged in graduate studies at the School of Social Work (SSW; since respectively renamed the Steve Hicks School of Social Work and then the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work) at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin. Hook ‘em Horns!

During that time, I was taught about diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility (DEIA; and derivatives thereunto, e.g., DEI). So unimpressed by what I learned, I committed an entire blog category to DEIA. Colloquially, DEIA is known as “woke,” about which one source states:

Woke is an adjective derived from African-American English used since the 1930s or earlier to refer to awareness of racial prejudice and discrimination, often in the construction stay woke, recorded since at least 1924. The term acquired political connotations by the 1970s and gained further popularity in the 2010s with the hashtag #staywoke.

Over time, woke came to be used to refer to a broader awareness of social inequalities such as sexism and denial of LGBTQ rights. Woke has also been used as shorthand for some ideas of the American Left involving identity politics and social justice, such as white privilege and reparations for slavery in the United States [U.S.].

I was told that all males (i.e., boys and men) were oppressors, maintained privileges not afforded to females (i.e., girls and women), and that members of my sex (i.e., male) and gender (i.e., man) were responsible and accountable for sexual assault and rape, without having done these acts.

Among other false allegations, UT SSW students and staff advocated these woke claims. As I’d understood, believed in, and practiced techniques of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) prior to attending UT, I recognized the types of beliefs which were being espoused.

In particular, the false accusations represented beliefs which weren’t irrational (not in accordance with both logic and reason). Still, as I say to my clients, “The tools we use less are useless.” (It’s a self-evident term.) Unfavorably, I didn’t always use REBT tools when at the UT SSW.

For instance, I sometimes self-disturbed with use of irrational beliefs, occasionally self-distressed with use of rational beliefs, and every now and then experienced indifference when woke nonsense was directed at me. Alas, at the end of the day, I’m a fallible human being.

Favorably, not all of my female academic peers subscribed to the absurdity of feminism—one of the main drivers of DEIA during my time at the UT SSW. To each of their credit, there were a couple handfuls of women who supported males, which required intestinal fortitude (i.e., guts).

As an example, three female students openly challenged DEIA beliefs during one particularly emotional classroom discussion regarding whether or not I was personally blameworthy for the incalculable number of females who’d been sexually assaulted and raped throughout history.

In another class, a female student openly mocked woke tenets by using irreverent communication toward me, as to demonstrate to others how irrational the rhetoric of DEIA was. Being that we were of similar age, she used a reference from Our Gang (also known as The Little Rascals).

“Oh,” she once said during a discussion on social justice, “we can’t rely on Deric’s opinion, because I’m told that he’s a founder of the He-Man Woman-Haters Club,” as she winked at me. Her mockery of woke gibberish was met with grumblings from some female students.

Another time, when hearing about a proposed long march through the institutions for changing U.S. society to reflect woke dynamics which plagued the UT SSW, one female student leaned over and whispered to me, “There bitches are crazy!” Allow me to explain (i.e., mansplain).

First, in Swimming in Controversial Belief, I stated, “I was informed that social work students in my program were educated and trained primarily to become activists and secondarily as social workers.” The long march through the institutions was thus a radical method of change.

One tenured professor instructed students to go into all levels of society and change the sociopolitical landscape by subverting the status quo with woke ideology, as she proposed that lasting and effective change would occur within 50 years. However, it took only a decade!

Second, when my supportive female peer used the word “bitches,” this term often relates to malicious, spiteful, or overbearing women, used as a generalized term of supposed abuse and disparagement, though the phrase can regard either males of females (e.g., stop being a bitch).

Informally, the word identifies something that is extremely difficult, objectionable, or unpleasant. Last, as the aforementioned female student used the word “crazy,” this term regards that which isn’t mentally sound: marked by thought or action that lacks reason.

For a popular culture example of this phrase, I invite you to consider the debut studio album St. Elsewhere (2006) by hip hop and soul music duo Gnarls Barkley, comprised of lyricist and singer CeeLo Green, of Goodie Mob fame, and musician and producer Danger Mouse.

It contained the song “Crazy” on which CeeLo stated, “I remember when I lost my mind. There was something so pleasant about that place. Even your emotions have an echo in so much space. And when you’re out there without care, yeah, I was out of touch. But it wasn’t because I didn’t know enough. I just knew too much!”

This summarizes my lived experience concerning those who uncritically endorsed woke principles and standards by way of pseudo-education at the UT SSW. As expressed by my female peer, many (though not all of) those bitches were crazy! Hook ‘em!

To be clear, “crazy” isn’t a clinical or diagnostic term any more than “bitches” is. Therefore, this slang term is as useful in the field of mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”) as the terms psychopath or sociopath (i.e., not professionally useful).

In any event, U.S. House of Representatives member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) was recently asked about her advocacy for woke ideas, as it appears as though she’s being positioned for a future candidacy regarding a U.S. presidential run. She thusly responded to the question:

I have a local city councilman that has this saying, “Woke one was crazy.” [laughter] [the interviewer challenges AOC on her advocacy DEIA] I think that during this time, and during—especially during COVID—there was a hug opening of the Overton window. We were shutdown.

There was some of the highest unemployment rates that we have seen because of those shutdowns, and I think that the doors were really open in trying to entertain any and every that was going to get us to a better place. And I actually think that the discussions that were had in that time were quite fruitful.

I think that when we talk about crime today, it’s fundamentally different than then way that we talked about crime—in bringing crime down, right? And I think that we all share in the goals of having as low a crime rate as possible. I think that, you know, during lockdown, of course, rhetoric in that time is not rhetoric that we would use today.

Having been academically trained as an activist, I recognize that AOC gave the appearance of disavowing woke rhetoric—describe as “woke one,” presumably referencing the first iteration of DEIA’s long march through the institutions—without citing which rhetoric she disavows.

One wonders what woke two (i.e., DEIA 2.0) will bring if or when AOC’s ilk once again assumes significant power. I suspect that it’ll be as anti-constitutional as DEIA 1.0—which wasn’t merely an anomaly during the botched response to COVID-19. Time will tell.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

ABC News. (2026, August 9). ‘Anything is possible’: AOC on her political future [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/SFwAnMLBSOw?si=2bn-ZKlF_bN6gtOJ

Anderson, A. (2019, February 1). The role of activism in social work. Social Justice Solutions. Retrieved from https://www.socialjusticesolutions.org/2019/02/01/role-activism-social-work/

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Clinical. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/clinical

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2023, November 15). Diagnosis (Dx). American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/diagnosis

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2023, November 15). Privilege. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/privilege

Blake, A. (2026, August 10). Democrats like AOC are trying to shrug off their ‘woke’ era. That’s bad for our politics. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/10/politics/aoc-woke-democrats

Gnarls Barkley Official. (2009, October 26). Gnarls Barkley - Crazy (Official video) [4K remaster] [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/-N4jf6rtyuw?si=xBUx4maTz6rNsG1r

Hollings, D. (2025, September 18). Are you working against your interests and goals? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/are-you-working-against-your-interests-and-goals

Hollings, D. (2025, September 13). Are your actions ruled by reason? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/are-your-actions-ruled-by-reason

Hollings, D. (2025, April 22). Bad ideas deserve to be mocked. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/bad-ideas-deserve-to-be-mocked

Hollings, D. (2026, March 5). Blaming: This is what you voted for. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/blaming-this-is-what-you-voted-for

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Blog – Categories: DEIA. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/blog/categories/deia

Hollings, D. (2025, October 23). Bringing together sound teaching with sound conduct. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/bringing-together-sound-teaching-with-sound-conduct

Hollings, D. (2023, May 11). Catering to DEIA. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/catering-to-deia

Hollings, D. (2026, July 1). Change is neither good nor bad. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/change-is-neither-good-nor-bad

Hollings, D. (2025, November 12). Conditional acceptance: An ideologically inconsistent case. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/conditional-acceptance-an-ideologically-inconsistent-case

Hollings, D. (2024, September 14). Crazy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/crazy

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2026, August 17). Discrimination, dehumanization, and terrorism: They’re not even people. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/discrimination-dehumanization-and-terrorism-they-re-not-even-people

Hollings, D. (2026, April 12). Excuses, explanations, and justifications. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/excuses-explanations-and-justifications

Hollings, D. (2024, May 11). Fallible human being. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fallible-human-being

Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1

Hollings, D. (2023, February 9). Feminism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feminism

Hollings, D. (2026, February 13). Five, four, three… beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/five-four-three-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2025, May 18). Irreverent communication: Use of sarcasm, snark, and cynicism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/irreverent-communication-use-of-sarcasm-snark-and-cynicism

Hollings, D. (2026, July 6). It’s not an opinion, it’s a fact: Am I taking crazy pills? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/it-s-not-an-opinion-it-s-a-fact-am-i-taking-crazy-pills

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2026, May 17). Listening to reason through argument: Is the rhetoric of whataboutism persuasive? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/listening-to-reason-through-argument-is-the-rhetoric-of-whataboutism-persuasive

Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Lived experience. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/lived-experience

Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason

Hollings, D. (2024, March 4). Mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-emotional-and-behavioral-health

Hollings, D. (2025, November 16). Mental health, mental illness, and mental disorder. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-health-mental-illness-and-mental-disorder

Hollings, D. (2026, June 9). Nonsense: It’s plainly pride. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/nonsense-it-s-plainly-pride

Hollings, D. (2025, April 9). Perception, action, and will. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/perception-action-and-will

Hollings, D. (2026, April 13). PLUR: Addressing sexual assault and rape. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/plur-addressing-sexual-assault-and-rape

Hollings, D. (2024, October 16). Political bingo. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/political-bingo

Hollings, D. (2026, March 18). Prejudice vs. discernment: Bias. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/prejudice-vs-discernment-bias

Hollings, D. (2024, March 6). Psychopathy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychopathy

Hollings, D. (2026, April 7). Psychopathy and sociopathy: We are all fallible beings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychopathy-and-sociopathy-we-are-all-fallble-beings

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2025, September 9). Personal responsibility and accountability. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/personal-responsibility-and-accountability

Hollings, D. (2025, September 19). Power. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/power

Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt

Hollings, D. (2025, August 13). Rational versus irrational thoughts and beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-versus-irrational-thoughts-and-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Rational vs. irrational. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-vs-irrational

Hollings, D. (2024, March 14). REBT and emotions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rebt-and-emotions

Hollings, D. (2025, October 9). Self-awareness, self-examination, and self-determination. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-awareness-self-examination-and-self-determination

Hollings, D. (2026, July 7). Self-distress and distress tolerance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-distress-and-distress-tolerance

Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance

Hollings, D. (2024, January 12). Sensitive event. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/sensitive-event

Hollings, D. (2023, December 13). Social construct. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/social-construct

Hollings, D. (2023, September 18). Sociopolitical pills. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/sociopolitical-pills

Hollings, D. (2025, December 24). Some people advocate walking. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/some-people-advocate-walking

Hollings, D. (2026, August 1). Spider-Man: Brand New Day - subversion and consent. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/spider-man-brand-new-day-subversion-and-consent

Hollings, D. (2026, July 3). Spun by absurdity. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/spun-by-absurdity

Hollings, D. (2026, May 31). Standards and principles. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/standards-and-principles

Hollings, D. (2022, August 12). Swimming in controversial belief. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/swimming-in-controversial-belief

Hollings, D. (2026, July 28). Stay in your lane: If you don’t feel too well, then tune out with indifference. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/stay-in-your-lane-if-you-don-t-feel-too-well-then-tune-out-with-indifference

Hollings, D. (2025, October 22). The construct. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-construct

Hollings, D. (2026, May 15). The speed of thoughts and beliefs: Flipping the bird. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-speed-of-thoughts-and-beliefs-flipping-the-bird

Hollings, D. (2026, April 23). The three traditionally identified components of the mind: Affect, cognition, and conation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-three-traditionally-identified-components-of-the-mind-affect-cognition-and-conation

Hollings, D. (2025, April 15). This cake smells unpleasant. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/this-cake-smells-unpleasant

Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal

Hollings, D. (2024, January 16). Understanding, belief, and practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/understanding-belief-and-practice

Hollings, D. (2022, October 20). Useless tools. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/useless-tools

Hollings, D. (2023, November 23). Validation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/validation

Hollings, D. (2026, August 19). Wisdom and acting justly are one and the same. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/wisdom-and-acting-justly-are-one-and-the-same

Hollings, D. (2026, March 8). You are not your beliefs or ideas. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/you-are-not-your-beliefs-or-ideas

Hollings, D. (2026, May 8). You cannot vote your way out of oppression or comply your way out of tyranny. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/you-cannot-cote-your-way-out-of-oppression-or-comply-your-way-out-of-tyranny

Our Gang Wikia Wiki. (n.d.). He-Man Woman-Haters Club. Fandom. Retrieved from https://ourgang.fandom.com/wiki/He-Man_Woman-Haters_Club

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria_Ocasio-Cortez

Wikipedia. (n.d.). American Left. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Left

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Bitch (slang). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitch_(slang)

Wikipedia. (n.d.). CeeLo Green. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CeeLo_Green

Wikipedia. (n.d.). COVID-19 pandemic. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Danger Mouse (musician). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danger_Mouse_(musician)

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Gnarls Barkley. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnarls_Barkley

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Goodie Mob. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodie_Mob

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Hip-hop. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip-hop

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Hook ‘em Horns. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook_%27em_Horns

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Identity politics. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_politics

Wikipedia. (n.d.). LGBTQ rights by country or territory. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_rights_by_country_or_territory

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Long march through the institutions. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_march_through_the_institutions

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Mansplaining. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansplaining

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Our Gang. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Gang

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Overton window. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Popular culture. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_culture

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Reparations for slavery in the United States. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reparations_for_slavery_in_the_United_States

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Sexism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexism

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Social justice. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Soul music. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_music

Wikipedia. (n.d.). St. Elsewhere (album). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Elsewhere_(album)

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Status quo. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Status_quo

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Steve Hicks School of Social Work. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Hicks_School_of_Social_Work

Wikipedia. (n.d.). University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Texas_at_Austin

Wikipedia. (n.d.). White privilege. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_privilege

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Woke. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woke