Asians Do Therapy Michelle MiJung Kim. Silence and Speaking
Dec 18, 2023
In this engaging discussion, Michelle MiJung Kim, a queer Korean American immigrant and activist, opens up about her journey of reclaiming her identity and name. She dives into the emotional complexities surrounding silence and the courage required to speak up, especially regarding issues like Palestine. Michelle articulates the fears that often silence activism in corporate environments and advocates for genuine social justice in DEI efforts. She reflects on her first therapy session, emphasizing the importance of community, accountability, and using one's voice to support change.
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From Anger To Curious Inquiry
- Michelle MiJung Kim shifted from anger to curiosity to understand why people stay silent about Palestine.
- She mapped patterns from equity work to declutter excuses and surface real barriers to speaking up.
Prioritize Moral Clarity Over Paralysis
- Tune into your moral reaction to visible suffering rather than hiding behind 'complexity.'
- Speak up for immediate humanitarian demands like a ceasefire even if you lack full historical expertise.
Fear And The Silence Strategy
- Fear underlies much hesitation: job loss, social alienation, and being labeled performative.
- Michelle argues that complexity is used as a tactic to silence people and that basic moral clarity (call for a ceasefire) matters.
