Like I said way back in post one, empathy is a real challenge for me. I don’t know if that’s a product of upbringing or some inherent defect in my brain. What I do know is that most people seem hardwired for a degree of empathy that I am not. This is never more apparent than when the subject of various social justice issues crop up. Don’t get me wrong, by and large, I support the goals of most social justice movements. Yet, it’s not something driven by my emotions.
When most people talk about their social justice issue of choice, it’s readily apparent that they’re passionate about the issue. They support it because the injustice lights some kind of fire in them. They’ve been on the receiving of some kind of injustice themselves and it creates an empathic bond between them and all other victims. I find this laudable, if wholly incomprehensible.
My support for these kinds of initiatives and movements is almost always …show more content…
That view is shared by noted author and scholar Brené Brown. Here’s Brown’s take on empathy: https://youtu.be/1Evwgu369Jw The first time I watched that video, the huge gulf between what I experience and normal empathy became apparent to me. While I am capable of some limited, stunted version of empathy, it doesn’t come quickly, easily or automatically. Show me a hurt child, or an emotionally wounded friend, or a grieving family member, and there is some limited activation of whatever part of the brain controls empathy. I can respond in a vaguely appropriate way. I’m not wholly indifferent to pain or suffering, but it’s very much like whatever psychological and biological mechanisms drive empathy are underpowered.
I’d like to say that I’ve got some strategy for dealing with this, but I don’t at the moment. I’m just working to understand the shape of the problem, which seems far larger and more complicated than I originally anticipated. I’ll keep you updated as I
When most people talk about their social justice issue of choice, it’s readily apparent that they’re passionate about the issue. They support it because the injustice lights some kind of fire in them. They’ve been on the receiving of some kind of injustice themselves and it creates an empathic bond between them and all other victims. I find this laudable, if wholly incomprehensible.
My support for these kinds of initiatives and movements is almost always …show more content…
That view is shared by noted author and scholar Brené Brown. Here’s Brown’s take on empathy: https://youtu.be/1Evwgu369Jw The first time I watched that video, the huge gulf between what I experience and normal empathy became apparent to me. While I am capable of some limited, stunted version of empathy, it doesn’t come quickly, easily or automatically. Show me a hurt child, or an emotionally wounded friend, or a grieving family member, and there is some limited activation of whatever part of the brain controls empathy. I can respond in a vaguely appropriate way. I’m not wholly indifferent to pain or suffering, but it’s very much like whatever psychological and biological mechanisms drive empathy are underpowered.
I’d like to say that I’ve got some strategy for dealing with this, but I don’t at the moment. I’m just working to understand the shape of the problem, which seems far larger and more complicated than I originally anticipated. I’ll keep you updated as I