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Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How to Change the World in Quiet Ways
Social justice work, we often assume, is raised voices and raised fists. It requires leading, advocating, fighting, and organizing wherever it takes place--in the streets, slums, villages, inner cities, halls of political power, and more. But what does social justice work look like for those of us who don't feel comfortable battling in the trenches? Sensitive souls--including those who consider themselves highly emotional, empathic, or introverted--have much to contribute to bringing about a more just and equitable world. Such individuals are wise, thoughtful, and conscientious; they feel more deeply and see things that others don't. We need their contributions. Yet, sustaining justice work can be particularly challenging for the sensitive, and it requires a deep level of self-awareness, intentionality, and care. In Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul , writer Dorcas Cheng-Tozun (Enneagram 4, INFJ, nonprofit/social enterprise professional, and multiple-burnout survivor) offers six possible pathways for sensitive - Connectors : relational activists whose interactions and conversations build the social capital necessary for change - Creatives : artists and creators whose work inspires, sheds light, makes connections, and brings issues into the public consciousness - Record Keepers : archivists who preserve essential information and hold our collective memory and history - Builders : inventors, programmers, and engineers who center empathy as they develop society-changing products and technologies - Equippers : educators, mentors, and elders who build skills and knowledge within movements and shepherd the next generation of changemakers - Researchers : data-driven individuals who utilize information as a persuasive tool to effect change and propose options for improvement Alongside inspiring, real-life examples of highly sensitive world-changers, Cheng-Tozun expands the possibilities of how to have a positive social impact, affirming the particular gifts and talents that sensitive souls offer to a hurting world.
227 pages, Hardcover
First published June 20, 2023
167 people are currently reading
3704 people want to read
About the author
Dorcas Cheng-Tozun
8 books39 followersDorcas Cheng-Tozun is an award-winning writer, editor, speaker, and international communications consultant. Previously, she was a columnist for Inc.com. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Christianity Today, BlogHer, The Entrepreneurial Leader, and dozens of other publications in the U.S. and Asia. She currently serves as the editorial director of the Asian American Christian Collaborative.
Dorcas has more than a decade of experience as a nonprofit and social enterprise professional. She served as the first director of communications for d.light, one of the world's leading social enterprises. A Silicon Valley native, she has lived in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Kenya. She and her entrepreneur husband, d.light cofounder Ned Tozun, have been married for fifteen years and have two young sons.
Dorcas has a BA in communication and an MA in sociology from Stanford University, as well as a professional editing certificate from the University of California, Berkeley.
Dorcas has more than a decade of experience as a nonprofit and social enterprise professional. She served as the first director of communications for d.light, one of the world's leading social enterprises. A Silicon Valley native, she has lived in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Kenya. She and her entrepreneur husband, d.light cofounder Ned Tozun, have been married for fifteen years and have two young sons.
Dorcas has a BA in communication and an MA in sociology from Stanford University, as well as a professional editing certificate from the University of California, Berkeley.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
December 17, 2024
I was hoping to recommend it to college students seeking social justice work. I will not be doing that.
Immediately, I saw the author includes her enneagram and Myers-Briggs categories, which should’ve been my first tip off of what kind of “research” went into this book. The MBTI has long been discredited and the enneagram typologies have never been taken serious by psychometricians. A knowledgeable researcher would never include them because of the well known lack of validity of these tests.
The citations are a list of largely secondary sources, including citing The Atlantic and other news sources … as if they are primary sources. She attributes the definition of burnout not to Maslach (who she is really citing but doesn’t realize) but to a book that cited Maslach. She describes a panic attack as lasting 4 hours (clinically defined, panic attacks last no longer than 10 mins). She relies heavily on Aron’s Highly Sensitive People personality profile and uses the term “introvert” without any recognition of the 5 Factor Personality Theory, instead relying on attorney and writer Susan Cain.
I could keep going on.
This provides some good information and lessons from the field but I could see someone picking it up, reading it as gospel, and regurgitating misinformation and pseudoscience. The entire section on personality profiles should be skipped over.
The roles the author describes in the final section also aren’t anything innovative. If you take a single course in macro social work, you’ll find this content has been espoused for decades. However. I could see how this introductory information could be helpful to people seeking career guidance. I was hoping there was going to be more “every day” things for people.
I think there are some good nuggets in this book, but I cannot recommend it to anyone without serious disclaimers.
Immediately, I saw the author includes her enneagram and Myers-Briggs categories, which should’ve been my first tip off of what kind of “research” went into this book. The MBTI has long been discredited and the enneagram typologies have never been taken serious by psychometricians. A knowledgeable researcher would never include them because of the well known lack of validity of these tests.
The citations are a list of largely secondary sources, including citing The Atlantic and other news sources … as if they are primary sources. She attributes the definition of burnout not to Maslach (who she is really citing but doesn’t realize) but to a book that cited Maslach. She describes a panic attack as lasting 4 hours (clinically defined, panic attacks last no longer than 10 mins). She relies heavily on Aron’s Highly Sensitive People personality profile and uses the term “introvert” without any recognition of the 5 Factor Personality Theory, instead relying on attorney and writer Susan Cain.
I could keep going on.
This provides some good information and lessons from the field but I could see someone picking it up, reading it as gospel, and regurgitating misinformation and pseudoscience. The entire section on personality profiles should be skipped over.
The roles the author describes in the final section also aren’t anything innovative. If you take a single course in macro social work, you’ll find this content has been espoused for decades. However. I could see how this introductory information could be helpful to people seeking career guidance. I was hoping there was going to be more “every day” things for people.
I think there are some good nuggets in this book, but I cannot recommend it to anyone without serious disclaimers.
May 1, 2023
After the pandemic, the death of George Floyd, and the contentious elections of the past few years, I was thirsting for Dorcas Cheng Tozun’s Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul like a heat stroke victim needs ice water. I care deeply about the world, and want address the awful injustices I see all around me. But after trying, then experiencing anxiety, weariness and unsustainable outrage—I realized I couldn’t engage in activism like I thought I should.
But I could not imagine an alternative.
Cheng-Tozun's compassionate, wise, and well-researched book gave me new vision for activism. Cheng-Tozun debunks myths about activism that keep sensitive people like me stuck in shame about our limitations. She notices and celebrates our strengths. She also helps us ask practical questions about how, when and where we are best suited to engage in justice work.
Over and over, Cheng-Tozun asks us to lean into our actual selves with kindness and love. In other words, she tells us to do justice work in our hearts -as well as- in our neighborhoods.
If you’re looking for a way to love the world without killing yourself, Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul will change everything.
But I could not imagine an alternative.
Cheng-Tozun's compassionate, wise, and well-researched book gave me new vision for activism. Cheng-Tozun debunks myths about activism that keep sensitive people like me stuck in shame about our limitations. She notices and celebrates our strengths. She also helps us ask practical questions about how, when and where we are best suited to engage in justice work.
Over and over, Cheng-Tozun asks us to lean into our actual selves with kindness and love. In other words, she tells us to do justice work in our hearts -as well as- in our neighborhoods.
If you’re looking for a way to love the world without killing yourself, Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul will change everything.
January 12, 2024
I thought this would be a favorite book of the year and debated buying a copy so I could underline quotes. I’m an introvert and prefer not to be the center of attention. I’m still irked by a social justice organization I used to be a part of that implied that because I wasn’t giving public school board testimony, I didn’t care about educational equity. I thought this book would be perfect for me, exploding ideas of activism beyond extroversion alone. Needless to say, I’m glad I borrowed it from the library instead.
Cheng-Tozun rightfully points out the Activist Ideal (or “warrior king”) and its prevalence in social justice work today, but she also disrespects this work. She writes, “Sensitive individuals are particularly gifted. We are already advantaged with greater empathy; it is our preference to be gentle and kind with others rather than antagonistic.” Feeling things deeply does not mean that you’re ready to lead an entire nonviolent movement, and conversely, being comfortable holding a megaphone doesn’t make you inherently antagonistic. These tidy binaries serve no one. Even as a person who doesn’t identify as and is often irritated by “warrior kings” and the worship of them, I’m not comfortable saying I have more empathy than them.
Cheng-Tozun makes more sweeping statements, like these: “My nonsensitive colleagues have wowed me time and again with their confidence, persistence, resilience, and risk-taking. They are willing to fight the battles that I can’t, taking on the adversaries I would sooner run away from. They aren’t afraid to say hard truths or challenge long-held assumptions. They see and pursue opportunities that intimidate me.” She doesn’t have proof that these people aren’t afraid; she doesn’t know what their internal monologue is, what they’ve overcome, or how they’ve developed their skills of speaking truth to power.
I started to really squirm when Cheng-Tozun brought in non-violence. She venerates nonviolent movements of the past, belaboring MLK and Gandhi. Then, she writes, “There aren’t masses of people lining up to learn and practice the tenets of conscientious, thoughtful nonviolence and reconciliation. Why? Because it is far easier to push for power, get angry, call out your enemies, and fight.” Surely anyone who has done these things can vouch that there is nothing easy about them. Throughout the book, she bemoans anger in a way that feels trivializing, especially for marginalized people who SHOULD feel angry about the way they’re viewed and treated in America.
Cheng-Tozun asks, “Have you seen the dominance of anger and the decline of empathy in your social justice work, your community, or online?” (In general, she does this annoying thing in the first third of the book where, instead of providing extensive examples herself, she tacks a list of questions onto the end of each chapter, asking the reader to do the heavy lifting instead of modeling that for us.) I don’t appreciate how these are posed as inextricably linked, inherently connected. Righteous anger can both stem from and lead to greater empathy. I read this related Layla K. Feghali quote on Instagram this week, and couldn’t help but juxtapose it with the views of empathy put forward in this book: “Rage is a deeply, deeply fundamental, life-affirming feeling. The rage is a call to action. And it’s a part of my body and my being that tells me that I am still alive despite all these things…that my heart is still alive and awake and that I have incredible love and incredible trust in the righteousness and integrity of life. We who live in the belly of the beast, who do not fear bombs on our heads every moment, we need to completely destroy the way that capitalism has indoctrinated us with attachment to comfort and privilege and feeling good.”
In general, I wished Cheng-Tozun would’ve addressed how highly-sensitive White people and highly sensitive people of color may have different experiences and expectations around social justice work. She lumped everyone into the HSP category without revealing any nuance. For example, it’s different to avoid interviewing victims of racism if you’ve also been impacted by racism than it is if you are a white person who deeply feels discomfort around others’ negative emotions. Also, there are times that the anger and voices of privileged people are necessary, just as there are times that fading into the background is more beneficial. I wish she’d delved into the ways that whiteness has historically prized avoiding confrontation and that women, especially white women, have been taught that being quiet and doing work behind the scenes is appropriate. The book begs for more exploration of the messy overlaps. (I will concede that it might be hard to do this when history.com and Wikipedia are the most frequently-cited sources in the book.)
When the author gets to practical suggestions for HSP activism, her suggestions are brief, underdeveloped, and sometimes laughable. She suggests things like becoming an artist (casual), doing research (even though she admits that only 20% of published research is ever read), being a teacher (I can’t think of anything worse for HSP, and she concedes something similar herself), and designing products. She also mentions merely having conversations with people, citing an example of a black man who befriended KKK members, as if this is something calm and chill that won’t rile up people who are sensitive. (There are entire books about how to talk to defensive white people, something that’s a challenge for even the most extroverted, outspoken people. We’re reckoning with entire ideological power structures here, not just emotional preferences.) She doesn’t give steps on how to execute these things either. I’m guessing people already know these are options and may have needed the permission slip that these are, in fact, valid forms of activism, but there’s nothing groundbreaking in the solutions section.
I believe it’s good for all people to think about who they are as people and how they can use their personal skills and talents to benefit causes that are important to them. I also believe that loud, forward-facing leaders have been glorified in our society, and we would see more change in the world if we expanded our definitions of activism. I don’t, however, think this book is integral to this journey of expansion.
In summary, don’t trust a book where every single chapter is the exact same number of pages.
Cheng-Tozun rightfully points out the Activist Ideal (or “warrior king”) and its prevalence in social justice work today, but she also disrespects this work. She writes, “Sensitive individuals are particularly gifted. We are already advantaged with greater empathy; it is our preference to be gentle and kind with others rather than antagonistic.” Feeling things deeply does not mean that you’re ready to lead an entire nonviolent movement, and conversely, being comfortable holding a megaphone doesn’t make you inherently antagonistic. These tidy binaries serve no one. Even as a person who doesn’t identify as and is often irritated by “warrior kings” and the worship of them, I’m not comfortable saying I have more empathy than them.
Cheng-Tozun makes more sweeping statements, like these: “My nonsensitive colleagues have wowed me time and again with their confidence, persistence, resilience, and risk-taking. They are willing to fight the battles that I can’t, taking on the adversaries I would sooner run away from. They aren’t afraid to say hard truths or challenge long-held assumptions. They see and pursue opportunities that intimidate me.” She doesn’t have proof that these people aren’t afraid; she doesn’t know what their internal monologue is, what they’ve overcome, or how they’ve developed their skills of speaking truth to power.
I started to really squirm when Cheng-Tozun brought in non-violence. She venerates nonviolent movements of the past, belaboring MLK and Gandhi. Then, she writes, “There aren’t masses of people lining up to learn and practice the tenets of conscientious, thoughtful nonviolence and reconciliation. Why? Because it is far easier to push for power, get angry, call out your enemies, and fight.” Surely anyone who has done these things can vouch that there is nothing easy about them. Throughout the book, she bemoans anger in a way that feels trivializing, especially for marginalized people who SHOULD feel angry about the way they’re viewed and treated in America.
Cheng-Tozun asks, “Have you seen the dominance of anger and the decline of empathy in your social justice work, your community, or online?” (In general, she does this annoying thing in the first third of the book where, instead of providing extensive examples herself, she tacks a list of questions onto the end of each chapter, asking the reader to do the heavy lifting instead of modeling that for us.) I don’t appreciate how these are posed as inextricably linked, inherently connected. Righteous anger can both stem from and lead to greater empathy. I read this related Layla K. Feghali quote on Instagram this week, and couldn’t help but juxtapose it with the views of empathy put forward in this book: “Rage is a deeply, deeply fundamental, life-affirming feeling. The rage is a call to action. And it’s a part of my body and my being that tells me that I am still alive despite all these things…that my heart is still alive and awake and that I have incredible love and incredible trust in the righteousness and integrity of life. We who live in the belly of the beast, who do not fear bombs on our heads every moment, we need to completely destroy the way that capitalism has indoctrinated us with attachment to comfort and privilege and feeling good.”
In general, I wished Cheng-Tozun would’ve addressed how highly-sensitive White people and highly sensitive people of color may have different experiences and expectations around social justice work. She lumped everyone into the HSP category without revealing any nuance. For example, it’s different to avoid interviewing victims of racism if you’ve also been impacted by racism than it is if you are a white person who deeply feels discomfort around others’ negative emotions. Also, there are times that the anger and voices of privileged people are necessary, just as there are times that fading into the background is more beneficial. I wish she’d delved into the ways that whiteness has historically prized avoiding confrontation and that women, especially white women, have been taught that being quiet and doing work behind the scenes is appropriate. The book begs for more exploration of the messy overlaps. (I will concede that it might be hard to do this when history.com and Wikipedia are the most frequently-cited sources in the book.)
When the author gets to practical suggestions for HSP activism, her suggestions are brief, underdeveloped, and sometimes laughable. She suggests things like becoming an artist (casual), doing research (even though she admits that only 20% of published research is ever read), being a teacher (I can’t think of anything worse for HSP, and she concedes something similar herself), and designing products. She also mentions merely having conversations with people, citing an example of a black man who befriended KKK members, as if this is something calm and chill that won’t rile up people who are sensitive. (There are entire books about how to talk to defensive white people, something that’s a challenge for even the most extroverted, outspoken people. We’re reckoning with entire ideological power structures here, not just emotional preferences.) She doesn’t give steps on how to execute these things either. I’m guessing people already know these are options and may have needed the permission slip that these are, in fact, valid forms of activism, but there’s nothing groundbreaking in the solutions section.
I believe it’s good for all people to think about who they are as people and how they can use their personal skills and talents to benefit causes that are important to them. I also believe that loud, forward-facing leaders have been glorified in our society, and we would see more change in the world if we expanded our definitions of activism. I don’t, however, think this book is integral to this journey of expansion.
In summary, don’t trust a book where every single chapter is the exact same number of pages.
June 13, 2023
This book is an invitation to get involved in the issues you care about while still acknowledging your unique needs and natural gifting as a sensitive person. Author Cheng-Tozun explains different ways a person might be a "sensitive soul," and includes examples from history to illustrate how different people have contributed to important movements from behind the scenes or "quiet" spaces. I loved how Cheng-Tozun includes thoughtful questions to help readers discern how each chapter applies to them. No matter the social issues a sensitive reader is drawn to, this book is a helpful resource to avoid burnout and cynicism in their work.
June 21, 2023
Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul is a wonderfully encouraging book that highights the many ways people can contribute to social change. I'd never heard the story of Nichelle Nichols (Uhura in the original Star Trek) who once said to Martin Luther King Jr., "I wish I could be out marching there with you." And he replied, "No, no, no. No, you don't understand. We don't need you to march. You are marching. You are reflecting what we are fighting for....For the first time, we are being seen the world over as we should be seen." This is just one of the many inspiring stories in the book that also includes some excellent reflection questions to help readers consider their own social justice engagement. I've already read the book once, and plan to go back through the questions as I consider my own ivolvements.
July 30, 2023
I can relate to some areas this book covers because I am introvert, which is probably not a surprise on a book reader’s group. The book reminds me a great deal of a young man I work with. He has trouble working in a government office because he thinks the HR policies are not innovative enough and he is frustrated with the lack of accountability in our office. He would probably be happier working for a nonprofit, but I think he would burnout there too since he told me he was hospitalized this past year. This book is more for him than me as I do a lot of volunteer work outside of my job.
August 11, 2023
The kernel of this book is important: “Even when directed toward the noblest of causes, the human heart, mind, and body are not machines” (96). We're not all cut out for the same types of activism, and it’s important to think about what distresses us and what gives us energy.
The book itself, unfortunately, is repetitive and drawn out, and the research largely unimpressive. (Lots of Wikipedia citations.).
But clearly most readers are having a better experience with the book than I did, which makes me genuinely happy.
The book itself, unfortunately, is repetitive and drawn out, and the research largely unimpressive. (Lots of Wikipedia citations.).
But clearly most readers are having a better experience with the book than I did, which makes me genuinely happy.
July 20, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! It gave me such a needed perspective on how to work in a difficult environment, make a difference, and still listen to ones own needs. I love that she acknowledged that justice work doesn’t have to be done in one sector but that change can come from many areas (NGO, religious, business, art, government). I appreciated how she acknowledged that you might have to take a break from justice work and return to it later. Or that your interest and passions might change and develop so you can move from one cause to another, you’re not stuck in one place. Overall very helpful and insightful!
July 15, 2023
If you are feeling burnt out or inadequate or ill-equipped to change the world in any way, Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul might help you chart a better path forward. World change was something that was pushed at my generation from a young age, especially in the teenage years. It left me exhausted and in search of the quiet life. I didn't want to become a politician or move to a developing country and build infrastructure from scratch. I still don't. Yet, I know there is great suffering in this world that can be alleviated, and it makes my heart hurt.
Cheng-Tozun casts a vision for working toward social change in ways that allow sensitive people to flourish. I appreciated that this wasn't a new way to pigeonhole personalities. It's not a formula that defines you as one type of sensitive and therefore one type of activist. Instead, she writes chapters on "pathways and possibilities," looking at how engineering, research, and relationality can change the world for the better, in ways mundane and celestial.
Cheng-Tozun looks at activists from history, some well-known, some lesser-known, and examines how their unique gifts and weaknesses shaped them into the person who could accomplish what they did. (I may have started crying when she discussed how Rosa Parks's training at the Highlander Folk School influenced the beginning of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.) After finishing the book, I feel affirmed and inspired. Not necessarily with a new path forward, but with ideas for how to get there, and ways to avoid burnout. I will be recommending this to friends who need some care in their lives and work. The chapters are short and manageable to read, which makes it more accessible and a good resource for groups to explore together.
Cheng-Tozun casts a vision for working toward social change in ways that allow sensitive people to flourish. I appreciated that this wasn't a new way to pigeonhole personalities. It's not a formula that defines you as one type of sensitive and therefore one type of activist. Instead, she writes chapters on "pathways and possibilities," looking at how engineering, research, and relationality can change the world for the better, in ways mundane and celestial.
Cheng-Tozun looks at activists from history, some well-known, some lesser-known, and examines how their unique gifts and weaknesses shaped them into the person who could accomplish what they did. (I may have started crying when she discussed how Rosa Parks's training at the Highlander Folk School influenced the beginning of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.) After finishing the book, I feel affirmed and inspired. Not necessarily with a new path forward, but with ideas for how to get there, and ways to avoid burnout. I will be recommending this to friends who need some care in their lives and work. The chapters are short and manageable to read, which makes it more accessible and a good resource for groups to explore together.
March 5, 2024
I had no idea how much this book was going to resonate with me. This made me feel understood, valued, and energized. It's so comforting knowing that there are other people like me who are introverted, highly sensitive and/or empathic changing the world every day.
I love that the quiet and often overlooked behind-the-scenes work of researchers, inventors, record-keepers, librarians, educators, artists, mentors, friends, and connectors are championed here.
Phew, so many quotes to transcribe!
A few tidbits:
-- Nonviolent campaigns were twice as likely as violent campaigns to achieve their goals
-- In order to secure major political change, at least 3.5 percent of the population must actively participate in protests
-- The surest way to ensure that you have a reserve of compassion and empathy for others is to attend to your own feelings.
-- Recovery time for people-related stress is very long compared to milder forms of stress
-- The more challenging aspects of being highly sensitive may diminish as we age, and the ability to appreciate beauty and connect spiritually increases with age. We take things less personally, experience less hurt, and more easily forget negative experiences as we age.
-- A 2018 study found that 35 percent of American adults have a low level of trust in others
-- Relational activism - supporting and encouraging a person already involved in a cause
-- Start in listening mode
-- Interacting face-to-face with an out-group reduced prejudice 94 percent of the time
-- Reading fiction consistently leads to greater empathy
-- Record keeping promotes accountability, counters corruption, and protects human rights
-- 14 million adults in the United States do not have access to a bank account or financial institution
-- Invest in one-on-one relationships, small group teaching, facilitating trainings, writing curriculum, designing presentations, offering consulting services, or creating websites
-- Scholarly and academic publications are much less focused on policy recommendations than they were 100 years ago
-- The average paper in a peer-reviewed journal is read completely by no more than 10 people
-- There is little to be gained for scholars who submit an op-ed to a popular newspaper or give presentations to the general public
-- In 1993, the NRA successfully lobbied for Congress to cut off government funding for any activity that might promote gun control; this was finally revoked in 2019
I love that the quiet and often overlooked behind-the-scenes work of researchers, inventors, record-keepers, librarians, educators, artists, mentors, friends, and connectors are championed here.
Phew, so many quotes to transcribe!
A few tidbits:
-- Nonviolent campaigns were twice as likely as violent campaigns to achieve their goals
-- In order to secure major political change, at least 3.5 percent of the population must actively participate in protests
-- The surest way to ensure that you have a reserve of compassion and empathy for others is to attend to your own feelings.
-- Recovery time for people-related stress is very long compared to milder forms of stress
-- The more challenging aspects of being highly sensitive may diminish as we age, and the ability to appreciate beauty and connect spiritually increases with age. We take things less personally, experience less hurt, and more easily forget negative experiences as we age.
-- A 2018 study found that 35 percent of American adults have a low level of trust in others
-- Relational activism - supporting and encouraging a person already involved in a cause
-- Start in listening mode
-- Interacting face-to-face with an out-group reduced prejudice 94 percent of the time
-- Reading fiction consistently leads to greater empathy
-- Record keeping promotes accountability, counters corruption, and protects human rights
-- 14 million adults in the United States do not have access to a bank account or financial institution
-- Invest in one-on-one relationships, small group teaching, facilitating trainings, writing curriculum, designing presentations, offering consulting services, or creating websites
-- Scholarly and academic publications are much less focused on policy recommendations than they were 100 years ago
-- The average paper in a peer-reviewed journal is read completely by no more than 10 people
-- There is little to be gained for scholars who submit an op-ed to a popular newspaper or give presentations to the general public
-- In 1993, the NRA successfully lobbied for Congress to cut off government funding for any activity that might promote gun control; this was finally revoked in 2019
October 20, 2023
As someone with an activist heart but a sensitive soul, I needed this book.
April 6, 2024
3.75⭐️! I enjoyed reading the first parts - The Sensitive Soul and Considerations and Questions but the book felt more tailored to those starting to think about going into social justice work and less for someone who has been doing it for a while. But several of her observations about burn-out rang very true.
I almost skipped the last section because I have to take it back to the library this morning but I decided to stay up and power through and I’m glad I did. This section shows ways of doing the work without being front and center. Connectors, Records Keepers, Equippers, and Researchers are roles I could focus on and still feel I was doing something without having to meet “The Activist Ideal”.
“In other words, the very foundation of social movements can be built on the strength of thoughtful, empathic individual interactions.
British NGO professionals Becca Dove and Tim Fisher have found that "person-to-person compassion and the desire to relate can create movement and change where before there was none." Relational activism, they explain, "makes change happen through personal and informal relationships.... The aim of the relational activist is to compassionately change the bit of the world we can touch." (p132)
I almost skipped the last section because I have to take it back to the library this morning but I decided to stay up and power through and I’m glad I did. This section shows ways of doing the work without being front and center. Connectors, Records Keepers, Equippers, and Researchers are roles I could focus on and still feel I was doing something without having to meet “The Activist Ideal”.
“In other words, the very foundation of social movements can be built on the strength of thoughtful, empathic individual interactions.
British NGO professionals Becca Dove and Tim Fisher have found that "person-to-person compassion and the desire to relate can create movement and change where before there was none." Relational activism, they explain, "makes change happen through personal and informal relationships.... The aim of the relational activist is to compassionately change the bit of the world we can touch." (p132)
Read
January 28, 2025I just can’t get into this. I wanted to. But I was reading thus along with another book and I am so into the other book that I can’t bring myself to put it down and come back to this one. After not touching this book for two days, I picked it up and just tried to flip ahead to see if I could get into the next section. No luck.
I seriously appreciate the intention behind this book. I just can’t get unstuck and I borrowed this from the library so I can’t put it down and try again later.
I seriously appreciate the intention behind this book. I just can’t get unstuck and I borrowed this from the library so I can’t put it down and try again later.
January 20, 2025
I wanted to love this more but I found myself zoning out a lot. Still, it was affirming to read about the many ways that introverts can help change the world for the better in a field that feels meant for the assertive. I enjoyed learning about various social justice activists and the different types of sensitive activism.
March 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Such great examples of ways to contribute to social justice while also being highly sensitive/empathis/introverted. Some things I want to write down to remember:
The Three primary principles of the Theory of Enchentmant (by Chloe Valdary) are:
1) treat people like human beings, not political abstractions
2) criticeze to u[lift and empower, never to tear down, never to destroy
3) root everything you do in love and compassion.
Practicing kindess towards ourselves also allows us to live with a more consistent, holistic ethic. When we listen to our own anxieties and hurts, we become more skilled at listening to the anxieties and hurts of others. When we respond with grace and compassion t oourselves, we become more willing to extend this same grace and compassion to our colleagues, our community, and even our adversaries. We become agents of change not simply by what we do but also by who we are.
Brene Brown suggests that spirituality is "recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to one another by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and belonging." When we practice spirituality, she writes, it "brings a sense of perspective, meaning, and purposed to our lives."
One of Tutu's many contributions to the world was the popularization of the African philosophy called unbuntu. Roughly translated as "I am because you are" or "I am human only because you are human," ubuntu refers to our shared humanity and our interdependence. The priestly advisors are because the warrior leaders are. We are invaluable; so are they.
In his classic book, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation, education reformer Parker J. Palmer explains how the Quaker phrase that inspired the title of his book holds meaning for him: "Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent."
"Don't ask what the world needs," advised Howard Thurman. "Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
British NGO professionals Becca Dove and Tim Fisher have fournd that "person-to-person compassion and the desire to relate can create movement and change where before there was none." Relational activism, they explain, "makes change happen through personal and informal relationships...The aim of the relational activist is to compassionately change the bit of the world we can reach."
The Three primary principles of the Theory of Enchentmant (by Chloe Valdary) are:
1) treat people like human beings, not political abstractions
2) criticeze to u[lift and empower, never to tear down, never to destroy
3) root everything you do in love and compassion.
Practicing kindess towards ourselves also allows us to live with a more consistent, holistic ethic. When we listen to our own anxieties and hurts, we become more skilled at listening to the anxieties and hurts of others. When we respond with grace and compassion t oourselves, we become more willing to extend this same grace and compassion to our colleagues, our community, and even our adversaries. We become agents of change not simply by what we do but also by who we are.
Brene Brown suggests that spirituality is "recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to one another by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and belonging." When we practice spirituality, she writes, it "brings a sense of perspective, meaning, and purposed to our lives."
One of Tutu's many contributions to the world was the popularization of the African philosophy called unbuntu. Roughly translated as "I am because you are" or "I am human only because you are human," ubuntu refers to our shared humanity and our interdependence. The priestly advisors are because the warrior leaders are. We are invaluable; so are they.
In his classic book, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation, education reformer Parker J. Palmer explains how the Quaker phrase that inspired the title of his book holds meaning for him: "Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent."
"Don't ask what the world needs," advised Howard Thurman. "Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
British NGO professionals Becca Dove and Tim Fisher have fournd that "person-to-person compassion and the desire to relate can create movement and change where before there was none." Relational activism, they explain, "makes change happen through personal and informal relationships...The aim of the relational activist is to compassionately change the bit of the world we can reach."
December 7, 2023
I needed this one y'all!
August 29, 2023
There was a lot of good stuff in this, but I can’t say that I loved it. I wish it was more concise and not as drawn out. I also appreciated the run down of how a lot of social justice heroes were often terrible or problematic in their personal lives, and how a lot of people at nonprofits and organic social causes don’t always get along or treat each other respectfully. However, I wish the author would have been more firm about calling out the need for people to get their shit together behind the scenes. If someone isn’t a good person in private they’re not a good person, and those character problems are going to impact the work too.
Read
January 29, 2024I'm forgoing stars because some people will get more out of this than others, and I'd rather offer some reflections than a review this time. Personally I picked up this book because I consider myself sensitive. Not an "empath" or having some "superpower" (as is sometimes conflated, to my side-eye), and not letters of an enneagram. Just sensitive and neurodivergent. I don't think that's a particularly good or bad thing, it just informs how I need to navigate the world and when I have the capacity to show up or make a boundary around activist work. Which can be hard work on our hearts, for a good reason. But how do we show up for ourselves while showing up for others?
This is not a book with any spiritual leaning, despite the title. I appreciated its mostly practical guidance. The parts that most resonated with me were in regards to the difficult balance of social media. Never before have we had access to so much...humanity, and the resulting irony is the dehumanization that can ensue. Years ago I left Tumblr, and what was once Twitter, because there are at times self congratulatory, performatively outraged, and denigrating behaviors among privileged activists that did not feel like my idea of social justice and loving others. Mine feels more like seeking collaborative practices instead of constantly seeking out fault in our comrades, treating people as human and co-creating community as much as possible instead of polarizing marginalized identities by treating them as monoliths.
I think truly activism means never giving up on your own standards, even though you will always fall short of someone else's impossibly high standards. No cause should come at the expense of your mental health. When we neglect ourselves we also neglect a primary goal of social justice, the lessening of suffering. We should be allowed to leave social media spaces without fear of social retribution or being accused of taking "the path of least resistance" instead of engaging in what is, generally, a low impact and often insular part of activist work.
People use the term "holding people accountable" when they publicly shame them. Shaming people for making genuine mistakes is just alienating, and does nothing to mitigate the harm done by those who actually have an agenda to espouse hateful ideologies. Growth occurs when people choose to hold themselves accountable. And I think the measure of a person's moral integrity comes down to how willing they are to keep figuring out what works and center marginalized people in that human journey. We'd probably do better to give each other a little grace as we do.
This is not a book with any spiritual leaning, despite the title. I appreciated its mostly practical guidance. The parts that most resonated with me were in regards to the difficult balance of social media. Never before have we had access to so much...humanity, and the resulting irony is the dehumanization that can ensue. Years ago I left Tumblr, and what was once Twitter, because there are at times self congratulatory, performatively outraged, and denigrating behaviors among privileged activists that did not feel like my idea of social justice and loving others. Mine feels more like seeking collaborative practices instead of constantly seeking out fault in our comrades, treating people as human and co-creating community as much as possible instead of polarizing marginalized identities by treating them as monoliths.
I think truly activism means never giving up on your own standards, even though you will always fall short of someone else's impossibly high standards. No cause should come at the expense of your mental health. When we neglect ourselves we also neglect a primary goal of social justice, the lessening of suffering. We should be allowed to leave social media spaces without fear of social retribution or being accused of taking "the path of least resistance" instead of engaging in what is, generally, a low impact and often insular part of activist work.
People use the term "holding people accountable" when they publicly shame them. Shaming people for making genuine mistakes is just alienating, and does nothing to mitigate the harm done by those who actually have an agenda to espouse hateful ideologies. Growth occurs when people choose to hold themselves accountable. And I think the measure of a person's moral integrity comes down to how willing they are to keep figuring out what works and center marginalized people in that human journey. We'd probably do better to give each other a little grace as we do.
August 6, 2023
This is a lovely non fiction book describing how one can be an activist using the gifts and interests that are tailored to your own personality. I've wondered how I could contribute to causes that interest me more without having to do tasks that make me feel unsafe or vulnerable and are outside of my normal comfort level. The reflections in this book help address some of my concerns. We do not have to equate dedication to social justice with self sacrifice. This is not an all or nothing martyrdom. Every contribution is needed from all avenues in life. We need to look after our own well being.
I loved the examples of individuals who in their own way made a difference working towards social justice. I learned about Frances Perkins - a first ever female cabinet member for President Roosevelt - who was a former social worker and tasked with helping the US out of the Great Depression. She was perhaps one of the most consequential secretaries of labor.
I learned about Peter Bryce, a doctor who worked for the Department of Interior and Indian Affairs in Canada and published a report on the human rights abuses there. We all know how censorship affects the power to correct injustices and why documentation and the knowledge of past history is so important to raise consciousness of these violations.
How Gutenberg changed the world in the sharing of knowledge and how we are still fighting censorship by those who want to dictate policy. In 1993, a study found that having a handgun at home nearly triples the chance that someone--unusually a family member or friend--will be killed there. Shortly afterward, the NRA lobbied Congress to cut off government funding for any activity that might promote gun control...the "Dickey" amendment. How different & much safer our country might have been without this censorship on gun safety.
A very interesting read for those who quietly want to make a difference in this world.
I loved the examples of individuals who in their own way made a difference working towards social justice. I learned about Frances Perkins - a first ever female cabinet member for President Roosevelt - who was a former social worker and tasked with helping the US out of the Great Depression. She was perhaps one of the most consequential secretaries of labor.
I learned about Peter Bryce, a doctor who worked for the Department of Interior and Indian Affairs in Canada and published a report on the human rights abuses there. We all know how censorship affects the power to correct injustices and why documentation and the knowledge of past history is so important to raise consciousness of these violations.
How Gutenberg changed the world in the sharing of knowledge and how we are still fighting censorship by those who want to dictate policy. In 1993, a study found that having a handgun at home nearly triples the chance that someone--unusually a family member or friend--will be killed there. Shortly afterward, the NRA lobbied Congress to cut off government funding for any activity that might promote gun control...the "Dickey" amendment. How different & much safer our country might have been without this censorship on gun safety.
A very interesting read for those who quietly want to make a difference in this world.
January 22, 2025
I honestly really liked this, but like so many others, wanted to like it MORE. I had expectations for this book and unfortunately, they weren’t met. However, I feel that the title and the author’s intentions are clear and well accounted for in the text (overall). I studied peace and justice studies so a lot of this was repetitive and didn’t contain anything groundbreaking which made my engagement a little sparse at times. That said, I tagged soooo many pages of quotes as reminders because anyone involved in social justice/activism knows that they are so needed in times of hopelessness, chaos, breakthroughs, etc. I wouldn’t tell anyone not to read this but would consider it more of an “entry-level” type of text for someone just getting into social justice, or for someone who has experienced burnout in this context as I found those takeaways especially relevant and helpful. I think it misses the mark in terms of overgeneralizing HSPs, but I almost think this is intentional and I’m not sure how I feel about that. Liked it, wanted to like it more ✌🏼🫶🏼
August 10, 2025
I really like this book because it’s all about accepting who you are and realizing that you can do good in the world regardless of your particular sensitivities or “shortcomings”. Says everyone is unique and being super empathetic is actually a superpower because you can see things that others can’t. I really relate to that because I can be very emotional. The book really makes me wanna make a difference in the world, but it also relieves the pressure of having to live up to a certain ideal where you go to protest or you have to phone bank or something stressful like that which I know I would not enjoy. We can make a difference in other roles like making art, forming and nurturing positive relationships, recording history, educating, creating new solutions, and finding specific roles that won’t burn us out.
July 10, 2023
Great for:
-If you are overwhelmed by social justice and don't know where you personally can start
-Affirming that there are a lot of ways to engage in social justice
-Learning about various methods of engagement that you may not have thought of
-Learning a few interesting facts and tidbits along the way
-Affirming that even if you aren't a highly sensitive person there are most likely going to be seasons of life where your engagement differs, and talking about what that might look like
This is a great introduction and creates a lot of room for folks who either aren't comfortable with or don't have the bandwidth to make social justice work a loud and central part of daily life. Exploring several different ways the average person can be a voice for change is a much needed and helpful conversation right now. We cannot all be Martin Luther King Jr.'s but we certainly can all be doing something.
-If you are overwhelmed by social justice and don't know where you personally can start
-Affirming that there are a lot of ways to engage in social justice
-Learning about various methods of engagement that you may not have thought of
-Learning a few interesting facts and tidbits along the way
-Affirming that even if you aren't a highly sensitive person there are most likely going to be seasons of life where your engagement differs, and talking about what that might look like
This is a great introduction and creates a lot of room for folks who either aren't comfortable with or don't have the bandwidth to make social justice work a loud and central part of daily life. Exploring several different ways the average person can be a voice for change is a much needed and helpful conversation right now. We cannot all be Martin Luther King Jr.'s but we certainly can all be doing something.
July 13, 2023
What an honor it was for me to be able to read an early copy of SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR THE SENSITIVE SOUL. Cheng-Tozun writes that “This book is for anyone interested in engaging with social justice who identifies as sensitive, empathic, quiet, introverted, or melancholic.”
I have so many passages underlined and book darts fill my copy’s pages. I loved the way Cheng-Tozun offers encouragement for the meaningful ways sensitive people can offer their unique gifts to important causes, and provides anecdotal inspiration from sensitive heroes who range from Dorothea Lynde Dix to Desmond Tutu. I also really appreciated the research woven throughout and the reminder to avoid burnout that can come from empathy fatigue or secondary trauma from the ways we experience the world and as we age. She advocates for “Pursuing Activism as You Are,” and offers great wisdom for discovering your purpose and for self-care.
I highly recommend this book for anyone doing advocacy work, whether you identify as sensitive or not. It will lift you up and deliver you to your course of action in whatever corners of the world you seek to influence change.
I have so many passages underlined and book darts fill my copy’s pages. I loved the way Cheng-Tozun offers encouragement for the meaningful ways sensitive people can offer their unique gifts to important causes, and provides anecdotal inspiration from sensitive heroes who range from Dorothea Lynde Dix to Desmond Tutu. I also really appreciated the research woven throughout and the reminder to avoid burnout that can come from empathy fatigue or secondary trauma from the ways we experience the world and as we age. She advocates for “Pursuing Activism as You Are,” and offers great wisdom for discovering your purpose and for self-care.
I highly recommend this book for anyone doing advocacy work, whether you identify as sensitive or not. It will lift you up and deliver you to your course of action in whatever corners of the world you seek to influence change.
May 19, 2023
I wish I would have had this book earlier in my life and career. The author validates the ways that sensitive souls are critical contributors in social justice work by sharing stories of activists over time alongside her own personal experiences. She offers helpful questions for reflection and specific ways to consider engaging in important world-changing work. It is a helpful reference and would be a wonderful gift for any justice seeker with a sensitive soul.
September 19, 2024
Social justice activism is available for all sorts of people, including those who are quiet, sensitive, artistic, and introverted! This book helps paint a picture of how regular and sensitive people can get involved with activism, not just the person who’s on a megaphone at the protest.
May 18, 2025
This was helpful in giving many ways to be active in social justice especially when it seems too daunting or not like you’re cut out for most activism. Really interesting that this book took from Civil Disobedience and nonviolent forms of activism quite heavily just in the context of recent world events (CEOs should die) soooo take that as you will
January 30, 2024
Very enlightening information about being a highly sensitive person in general.
July 12, 2024
Such a great book
September 2, 2024
Work Book Club
January 10, 2025
Absolutely fantastic read! Loved it. Very informative and reassuring
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