The Consequences of the Death of Empathy

[undergroundpanther]

One of the most devastating consequences of unearned privilege -- both for those of us on top and, for very different reasons, those who suffer beneath -- is the death of empathy.

Too many people with privileges of various kinds -- based on race or gender, economic status or citizenship in a powerful country -- go to great lengths not to know, to stay unaware of the reality of how so many live without our privilege. But even when we do learn, it’s clear that information alone doesn’t always lead to the needed political action. For that, we desperately need empathy, the capacity to understand the experiences -- especially the suffering -- of others.

Too often in this country, privilege undermines that capacity for empathy, limiting the possibilities for solidarity. Two examples from my recent experience brought this home for me.

http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/%7Erjensen/freelance/deathofempathy.htm

[David in Canada]

1. Compassion

I believe what is REALLY needed is compassion. It is possible to have compassion without necessarily having empathy.

I have problems with empathy due to Asperger's Syndrome. It is not because I am callous or don't care. It is because I am mind blind and cannot figure out other people's emotional states unless they state it or when they laugh from happiness or cry from sadness.

[tkmorris]

3. That sounds positively awful

I simply cannot imagine how difficult life would be if I could not tell how people around me were feeling. The ramifications of such a thing seem subtle at first until you think about it. Social situations, particularly with strangers, must be impossible for you.

I'm sorry you have this thing David. That's got to really suck.

[annabanana]

5. (I DO like your sig pic). . . .

I know that some of our lounge lizards feel that way. .

[silverojo]

2. K&R

For empathy AND compassion.

[Fredda Weinberg]

4. Don't blame privilege. It's bad upbringing and desensitization

The modern world ain't kind but history has few examples. This generation, oddly enough, has the greatest potential and the lowest expectations.