(3 part series By Grace Yee)
Part 1: Softness as Strength: A Powerful Tool for Change
In today’s hyper-connected digital world, we’re constantly bombarded with a deluge of endless information each day. From flurries of disruptive notifications from numerous devices, to skimming troubling news headlines that we’d rather not read for the sake of our mental health, to the barrage of opinions in online comments we can’t help but sift through to stay engaged and abreast of the latest going-ons. We’re inundated with so much noise that it’s impossible not to feel overwhelmed—even when we aren’t actively scrolling. Unfortunately, the digital world doesn’t come with an off switch, and the pressure to keep up can be exhausting.
Social justice and activism sometimes can feel the same way—like an intense battlefield where the only way forward is through constant urgency, always pushing, and advocating loudly. But what if making a difference wasn’t just about pushing harder and being stronger? What if impact wasn’t measured by volume, but instead, by showing up differently?
Softness in social justice doesn’t mean ignoring oppression, staying silent, or letting things slide. It’s about approaching people and movements with compassion and empathy to foster understanding. It’s about connection rather than division. It’s about remembering that at the end of the day, we’re all human and showing up with kindness and giving one another grace at times may make more of an impact than cancel culture and just calling people out when they mess up.
You are more likely to have an influence if you are listening carefully, respecting their humanity even as you disagree with them.”
Scholar and activist Loretta J. Ross challenges us to rethink how we engage in justice work through the practice of calling in instead of calling out. Rather than resorting to public shaming, calling in emphasizes approaching tough conversations with compassion and curiosity. Ross argues that shame rarely leads to real change. Instead, creating space for honest conversations—while respecting a person’s dignity—allows for true learning, growth, and accountability. “You are more likely to have an influence if you are listening carefully, respecting their humanity even as you disagree with them.”
This shift in approach isn’t just about avoiding harm—it’s about creating something stronger. As Ross puts it, “Build a culture and a world that invites people in instead of pushing them out.” This approach pivots how we handle conflict—not as a means of alienation but as an opportunity to strengthen connections and build bridges so that everyone can belong.
Expanding on this idea, human rights advocate Dázon Dixon Diallo draws a powerful parallel: “Calling in will be to this digital age’s human rights movement what nonviolence was to the civil rights movement in the 20th century: a new way to understand how to truly achieve justice.” Just as nonviolence reshaped activism in the past, a culture of softness and radical empathy can redefine how we fight for justice today—creating a movement that not only resists oppression but also nurtures healing so that we can all move forward together.
Calling in will be to this digital age’s human rights movement what nonviolence was to the civil rights movement in the 20th century: a new way to understand how to truly achieve justice.”
Dázon Dixon Diallo
But to sustain this work, we also need to take care of ourselves. Softness isn’t just about how we engage with others—it’s also about how we nurture our own well-being. Taking time for mind-body practices like daily breathwork, meditation, yoga, or even a short walk in nature can help us reset, regulate, and show up more fully. After all, justice work is a marathon, not a sprint, and tending to our bodies and minds ensures we refuel our own tanks so that we can keep going.
By cultivating this inner resilience, we can choose kindness over anger without avoiding hard conversations. It means showing up with care and embracing healing over harm. It means helping others feel seen and heard (even if we may not agree) because we are all human. Real change happens when people feel valued, included, and like they belong. Whether it’s in friendships, workplaces, or activism, creating space for genuine connection is what keeps movements—and people—going.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore how vulnerability and bridge-building can cultivate both healing and justice.
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