Summary of Michelle MiJung Kim's The Wake Up

By IRB Media

Get the Summary of Michelle MiJung Kim's The Wake Up in 20 minutes. Please note: This is a summary & not the original book. Original book introduction: As we become more aware of various social injustices in the world, many of us want to be part of the movement toward positive change. But sometimes our best intentions cause unintended harm, and we fumble. We might feel afraid to say the wrong thing and feel guilt for not doing or knowing enough. Sometimes we might engage in performative allyship rather than thoughtful solidarity, leaving those already marginalized further burdened and exhausted. The feelings of fear, insecurity, inadequacy are all too common among a wide spectrum of changemakers, and they put many at a crossroads between feeling stuck and giving up, or staying grounded to keep going. So how can we go beyond performative allyship to creating real change in ourselves and in the world, together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Dec 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781669341673

IRB Media

With IRB books, you can get the key takeaways and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, identify the key takeaways and analyze them for your convenience.

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Insights on Michelle MiJung Kim's The Wake Up

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

Goodness is not enough to ensure a positive impact on the world around you.

#2

Goodness has become a very important aspect of being a social worker. Unfortunately, this can sometimes be the very thing that is holding you back from making an impact. Reflect on your own ideas of what it means to be a good person, and question whether these ideas are hindering or helping you.

#3

We are quick to proclaim that we understand and accept social justice, but this understanding is often lacking in our daily lives, where we continue to cause harm without realizing it.

#4

Goodness is an attribute that is constantly changing based on our actions and their impacts. Instead of asking if we are good people, we should be asking if our actions have a positive impact.

#5

During this time, many people reached out to the author to check in on the Black community, which she appreciated. But some messages included an ask for guidance on how to be an ally, which left a bitter aftertaste of virtue signaling rather than genuine friendship.

#6

Good intentions are meaningless unless they lead to good outcomes. We should question the assumption that doing good is synonymous with making progress.

#7

Good deeds must be done for and with those who have not yet been granted justice and equity.

#8

We need to spend time reflecting on our past actions and their outcomes before we can start making better choices in the future. We need to acknowledge that we may have even caused harm, regardless of our intentions or awareness, and that this harm may have never been addressed.

#9

Allyship is the process of supporting someone who belongs to a