Let’s be honest. There’s a lot happening in and around our lives every single second of our day. We’re inundated with images and videos from social media and news outlets. We see things we cannot unsee. How do we understand and process injustice that we see others experiencing? We may hold different identities and experiences and are unsure where to start because of these differences. We may feel like we do not have the power or capacity to contribute to change. There is a place to start and that is Radical Empathy.
Terri Givens, professor of Political Science at the University of British Columbia, coined the term and authored the book, “Radical Empathy: Finding a Path to Bridging Racial Divides.” Givens shares that radical empathy is “moving beyond an understanding of others’ lives and pain to understand the origins of our biases, including internalized oppression” (Givens, 2021).
What is Radical Empathy?
Radical empathy is the act of immersing yourself in another’s story without judgement or fear of being judged. We know it’s hard for us to not judge. It’s what we do. How do we enter without fear of being judged? It involves vulnerability and de-centering ourselves. Some examples of radical empathy include: community repair, relationship repair, racial reconciliation, community reconciliation, and equitable practice. The Six Steps to Radical Empathy are:
- Willingness to be vulnerable
- Being grounded in who you are
- Being open to the experiences of others
- Practicing empathy
- Taking action
- Creating change and building trust
Foundationally, it’s about understanding your own identities and perspectives. Knowing who you are helps you to connect with others and this helps you form relationships beyond your typical friend groups. You’ll be able to connect with people with different identities and experiences. Tips that Givens offers us to think about include:
- Commit to learning, not debating
- Comment in order to share information, not to persuade
- Avoid blame, speculation, and harmful language
- Criticize ideas, not individuals
- Avoid assumptions and generalizations about individuals from other groups
- Do not ask individuals to speak for their (perceived) social identity or group
Reflection
Radical empathy involves deeply understanding and sharing the feelings of others, often extending beyond typical empathy by challenging societal norms and personal biases. Here are some reflection questions to explore the concept more deeply:
- Personal Connection
- When have you experienced a moment of radical empathy in your own life?
- What did that experience teach you about yourself and others?
- Understanding Others
- How do you typically approach understanding someone with a different background or perspective from your own?
- In what ways could you expand your approach to be more inclusive and empathetic?
- Challenging Biases
- How do your personal biases and preconceived notions affect your ability to practice radical empathy?
- What steps can you take to address and overcome these biases?
- Empathy vs. Sympathy
- How does radical empathy differ from sympathy?
- Can you think of a situation where a shift from sympathy to radical empathy could have led to a better outcome?
- Impact on Relationships
- How can practicing radical empathy improve your relationships with others?
- Are there specific relationships in your life where applying radical empathy could be particularly transformative?
- Social Systems
- In what ways can radical empathy challenge existing social and systemic inequalities?
- How can individuals contribute to systemic change through radical empathy?
- Listening Skills
- How do you ensure that you are truly listening and not just waiting for your turn to speak?
- How can you deepen your listening skills to foster radical empathy?
- Emotional Labor
- What emotional labor does radical empathy require, and how do you manage the emotional demands of being empathetic to others’ struggles?
- Cultural Sensitivity
- How can radical empathy be practiced in a way that respects and honors cultural differences?
- What strategies can you use to better understand cultural contexts when practicing empathy?
- Self-Care
- How can you balance the demands of radical empathy with your own self-care?
- What boundaries might you need to set to maintain your well-being while being deeply empathetic?
- Community Impact
- How can radical empathy be cultivated within communities or organizations?
- What initiatives or practices can foster a culture of radical empathy in group settings?
- Challenges and Resistance
- What challenges or resistance might you face when practicing radical empathy, and how can you address these challenges constructively?
- Future Actions
- What specific actions can you take in your daily life to incorporate radical empathy more consistently?
- How will you measure your progress and impact?
These questions are designed to encourage deep reflection on how radical empathy can be integrated into personal and social contexts, and how it can lead to meaningful change.
Bibliography
Givens, T. E. (2021). Radical Empathy: Finding a Path to Bridging Racial Divides. Policy Press.
Givens, T. (2021, October 6). Starting on the path to Radical Empathy. Medium. https://terrigivens64.medium.com/starting-on-the-path-to-radical-empathy-2f7c27337015
Matthews, T. (2023, November 20). The Power of Radical Empathy [TedTalk]. TEDxHiltonHead, Hilton Head, SC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NoKZZnSge8&ab_channel=TEDxTalks
Upcoming Holidays & Observances
12/3/2024: International Day of Persons with Disabilities – raises awareness about persons with disabilities in order to improve their lives and provide them with equal opportunity.
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