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Actor Rakie Ayola has absolutely destroyed the word ‘woke’ in the best possible way.
The star, 54, is set to star in the second series of The Pact, set to premiere tonight on BBC One centering on a Black family living in South Wales.
The show began in 2021 starring Laura Fraser, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Eiry Thomas, Heledd Gwynn, Aneurin Barnard, and Adrian Edmondson.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, the Doctor Who and Noughts and Crosses star was asked by presenter Victoria Fritz how she would respond to critics who may say The Pact was portraying a ‘woke version’ of a Welsh family by centering a Black household.
And Ayola had the perfect response.
‘If anybody wants to say that to me, what I would say first is explain what you mean by ‘woke’ and then we can have the conversation. If you can’t explain it, don’t hand me that word,’ she said.
Rakie Ayola is pre-empting potential criticism of The Pact (Picture: BBC)
The actress urged people not to use a word they cannot describe, because they may know ‘know what [they] mean’.
‘Sit there and tell me what you mean by “woke” and then we can talk about whether this show is “woke” or not. Because then I will introduce you to a family just like this one.
‘So when you say they don’t exist when they clearly do, are you saying that they’re not allowed to exist? What do you mean by that?’
She concluded by encouraging viewers to have ‘a proper conversation’ about the show, and if you feel inclined to use the word ‘woke’ without understanding its meaning, ‘please be quiet because you’re incredibly boring’.
Ayola stars in series two of the BBC show, which centers on a Black family living in South Wales (Picture: Getty Images)
The clip has circulated online with many social media users praising Ayola for speaking out.
‘Rakie Ayola’s response to the ‘some people’ question was dignified & calm,’ one user said.
They continued: ‘We MUST challenge more people who use “Woke” to say what this means.
‘Self-described “anti-woke” people seem to be bigoted, racist, homophobes. I’m proud not to be “anti woke”. Does that make me woke?’
Another added: ‘This clip needs to be played to everybody who uses woke as an insult in the future, what a brilliant answer!’
‘That is an incredible reply and I am only sorry that you had to give it. It really feels like the country is getting worse,’ one other user posted.
The Pact series two begins on Monday, October 24, at 9pm on BBC One.
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She did not hold back.