The Wake Up: Closing the Gap Between Good Intentions and Real Change

The author of "The Wake Up" emphasizes the importance of going beyond performative allyship to create real change in ourselves and the world. She shares foundational principles often missing in mainstream conversations around diversity and inclusion, inviting readers to deep dive into the challenging and nuanced work of pursuing equity and justice. The book is divided into four key parts: grounding, orienting, showing up, and moving together, and offers sustainable frameworks for thinking, approaching, and being in the journey as thoughtfully and powerfully as possible.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 21 October 2021
Publisher: Hachette Books

As we become increasingly aware of various social injustices in the world, many of us yearn to be part of the movement toward positive change. However, sometimes our well-intentioned efforts can inadvertently cause harm, and we may fumble. We may feel afraid to say the wrong thing and experience guilt for not doing or knowing enough. At times, we may engage in performative allyship rather than thoughtful solidarity, further burdening and exhausting those already marginalized. The feelings of fear, insecurity, and inadequacy are all too common among a wide spectrum of changemakers, often leaving them at a crossroads between feeling stuck and giving up or staying grounded to continue their work. So, how can we transcend performative allyship and create real change in ourselves and the world, together?

In her book, The Wake Up, Michelle MiJung Kim offers essential principles often overlooked in mainstream discussions on diversity and inclusion. She invites readers to delve into the challenging and nuanced work of pursuing equity and justice, while exploring the complexities, contradictions, and conflicts inherent in our imperfect world. With a blend of firsthand narratives and accessible explanations of hot-button issues such as inclusive language, representation, and cancel culture, Michelle provides sustainable frameworks that guide us on how to think, approach, and be in the journey as thoughtfully and powerfully as possible.

The Wake Up is divided into four key parts:

Grounding: Begin by moving beyond good intentions to interrogating our deeper "why" for committing to social justice and uncovering our hidden stories.

Orienting: Establish a shared understanding around our historical and current context and the issues we are trying to solve, starting with dismantling white supremacy.

Showing Up: Learn critical skills for engaging in effective and respectful dialogue, building alliances, and advocating for change.

Acting Up: Take action in your daily life and communities to promote equity and justice, and challenge systems of oppression.

By embracing these principles and applying them in our lives and work, we can move beyond performative allyship and create meaningful change in ourselves and the world. Let us embark on this journey together, armed with empathy, knowledge, and a commitment to pursuing equity and justice for all.

Weight: 482g
Dimension: 163 x 236 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780306847202