A must-read for anyone who sees injustice in the world and wants to do something about it. Kim has the experience and knowledge to offer doable steps to right wrongs both on a personal and global level.

“And in this world filled with incessant violence, hate, cynicism, and rage, I hope we remember that our joy is revolutionary.” These words fall late in The Wake Up, but I start here because of how they capture the spirit of this book. It felt like a unique love letter to some of my most beloved teachers in activism and life, and to those who struggle and stumble and find collective joy and love inspired by their words.

Kim’s writing is both specific to her experiences as a queer Korean immigrant, former youth organizer, and DEI trainer and deeply enriched by quotes from revolutionaries like adrienne maree brown, Prentiss Hempill, Mia Mingus, Grace Lee Boggs, and Angela Davis. While there’s tremendous relevance to organizational contexts and white leaders, Kim is intentional in NOT centering whiteness. She strikes a unique balance between challenging all readers to probe oppression in their lives and holding space for the pain, trauma, joy, and love of BIPOC readers specifically. Kim’s writing is accessible with many concrete suggestions for those looking to create inclusive spaces and unpack racism, but her vision is also refreshingly radical and unapologetic.

As most anti-racist books I’ve read are by white, Black, Native, or Latine authors, I found Kim’s perspective as a Korean woman a critical addition. She weaves in personal storytelling and challenges us not to narrow Asian womens’ experiences, and to include imperialism in our analysis of US racism alongside genocide and slavery. She speaks frankly of limits to pan-Asian coalitions and language, as well as challenges to interracial organizing. Her contextualization of the 2021 Atlanta murders, for example, melds the pain of the event and its racist aftermath with advocacy for sex workers’ rights AND a challenge to the racist conflation of Asian female labor with sex work, while criticizing punitive (anti-Black) takes on justice.

Ultimately, this book is about how we show up for each other, and couldn’t be more crucial as we’re co-creating an emerging future.

Michelle is such an incredible storyteller – she weaves in personal anecdotes from both her personal and professional life, many of which were so relatable to me, while also sharing practical tips in every chapter/section. She breaks down complex topics to make them easy to digest and leaves you feeling empowered to start making changes in your day-to-day life right away.

Although she writes hard but necessary truths, the tone of her writing is warm and inviting. I felt encouraged to reflect so it actually took me a while to get through the book as I kept reflecting on painful past experiences like the hurt I had endured, as well as the hurt I have inflicted onto others, as well as reflecting on what I could have done differently then and what I will do going forward.

This is a book to be savored and I will be re-reading at least once a year especially since the contents of this book will apply to you, whatever stage you may be at. Whether you are just starting on your journey or have been on this path for many years now. I will be sharing this book with everyone, but I must say that I specifically would love my colleagues working in Learning & Development, DEI, or involved with corporate training of any kind, to read this asap (the lessons learned are applicable globally!)

I was graciously given an ARC of this book - and it has been such an intimate experience reading this. This is not one to be binged and deserves to be savored, to sink deep and be processed. I have gotten to read many books along a similar vein, but this is the first where I have felt like my lived experiences have been given words.

I would often finish a chapter and go “Yes, me too” - and that speaks highly of how research was woven in with personal stories. I highlighted so many passages to come back to later. Feeling seen, feeling valued, feeling pieces of my own story gaining language.

“The temptation for people to throw their hands up and go about living their individual lives is substantial, not just for people with privileges to disengage but also for people who are exhausted by the continued cycles of harm and misalignment too. Our misalignment is costly, and our ability to connect with one another is in urgent need of inspection and serious repair. So, if simply denouncing injustice is not enough to connect you and me, what holds us together?”

(Un)learning. Compassion. Context. Shared humanity. Hope. Relationships. Collective joy.

Please pick this up when you get the chance!

Michelle's Kim's book is phenomenal! I could not stop myself from taking notes and being inspired. As a noted change agent and diversity expert myself it is hard for me to be in a place where I feel validated for my frustration and my excitement for making the world a better place. We both say "do the work" and this book gives you the tools you need to hold yourself accountable and to move towards shared accountability at home, at work and in society. It is incredibly important to have a queer immigrant Korean American woman's voice in the conversation about diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and anti-racism. Kim's continous learning, frustration, determination, accountablity and self love rooted in dismantling white supremacy for herself and others shines throughout. This book is right on time and will be highlighted for years to come!

An informative and compelling read. One of the best I've read in this category. The author not only did a fantastic job of illustrating the impact of discrimination, disproportionate power, and the need for white allies she provided actionable advice for allies of all backgrounds. I felt motivated, recommitted, and armed with useful information after finishing this book.

I recommend the read for those looking to better understand diversity dynamics in the U.S. in a truly three-dimensional way. It's both a compelling read for a beginner trying to understand a more nuanced perspective (e.g. I'm not a hood-wearing clans member so I'm not racist) and an educated ally who still realizes they have a lot to learn.

While the topic can be heavy and the self-reflection can be painful, the book is well written and the added anecdotes make for an enjoyable read.