Empathetics’ Commitment to Anti-racism
Empathetics is deeply committed to antiracism and condemns mistreatment of all human and sentient beings. The devastating death of George Floyd and countless others has raised the consciousness of structural racism in our country and ripped the curtain of denial behind which too many are standing. Empathetics was founded to help humans connect to others with empathy. It is not enough to feel bad, or express sympathy for those who have been so severely discriminated against. We must learn empathy: the ability to take the perspective of those who suffer from inhumane discrimination, and attempt to feel the pain as if it were our own.
It is not enough to mourn the deaths of George Floyd and others; we must also act. As the legacy of John Lewis inspires us to take action we know that when empathy is felt and known, we are motivated to help and to show compassion. Each day, Black people, Indigenous people and People of Color are impacted disproportionally by the COVID-19 pandemic. We must not forget those who have been silenced and those who today are not even being counted as the number of deaths soar. (Native Americans Feel Devastated by the Virus Yet Overlooked in the Data)
At Empathetics we are dedicated to teaching empathy, which is the foundation of antiracism. Our trainings have inspired healthcare systems to become more aware of structural racism and we will continue to embed respect and dignity for all people and antiracism in our empathy training and workshops.
The Empathetics approach is described in detail in The Empathy Effect: Seven Neuroscience-based Keys for Transforming How We Live, Love, Work and Connect Across Differences. Reading is another way to increase empathy; we recommend the books below for insight into racial justice. It is our hope that empathy will fuel deep respect for the lives of all people and appreciation for the richness of our shared world when people come together.
An Idigneous People’s History of the United States: The hidden history of the plight of Indigenous peoples that began when America was “discovered” opens floodgates of compassion for people whose very identities have been discounted, dismissed and denied with a call to regard all people as worthy of equal resources, dignity and respect.
How to Become an Antiracist: Though a personal and poignant account of his own life journey, Kendi’s groundbreaking book unveils the policies that perpetuate racism and the fact that there is no middle ground– we either have antiracist beliefs, attitudes and practices or racist beliefs, attitudes and practices. It is impossible to come away from reading this book without compassion and motivation to join the battle against systemic racism.
White Fragility: This book reveals the profound discomfort inherent in conversations about race, and how often they are avoided altogether. White Fragility compels readers to examine their origins of their beliefs and attitudes about race and to confront them in the context of history and the present moment.