Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How To Change the World in Quiet Ways

Cheng-Tozun (Start, Love, Repeat) recognizes that social justice work is difficult for individuals considered highly sensitive persons (HSPs) or sensitive/empathic but emphasizes that society needs more of these individuals as social reformers. She notes that sensitive/empathic people often feel split between their need for social justice and their limited tolerance for stress and stimulation, which can lead to burnout. This book provides tools to find areas where sensitive/empathic readers can make a difference but also cope with stress. The author provides tips on what to consider when finding a social justice niche and underscores that one will find conflict in many nonprofit sectors. She offers advice that would assist anyone seeking employment, including assessing physical spaces and organizational culture. Cheng-Tozun provides relevant examples of social reformers who fit her definitions of sensitive/empathic who created change but also struggled, including Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Bishop Desmond Tutu. She also provides anecdotes of people making positive changes (in ways relatable to sensitive souls) through art and theater, bridging gaps, recordkeeping, engineering, mentoring, and research. Several chapters include reflection questions. An appendix offers various sensitive/empathic categories for reader self-identification.