Crossing the Color Line-Katrina

This week’s reading started with a discussion of the definition of empathy. I really enjoyed hearing how different scholars have come to define the word. It’s interesting to see how the idea of empathy has evolved over time to where it is now. While the reading didn’t explicitly address it, the different between sympathy and empathy becomes every so clear in that empathy involves “feeling with” rather than “feeling for.”

Dace’s concludes her writing stating “empathy may just be the key.” Personally I feel that this is critical to any relationship. Keeping this in mind, empathy play a part in explaining why we (people) tend to gravitate towards people they share commonalities with or who we consider similar to us. It is not essential to have experienced the same situation as someone to be empathic towards them. Empathy can be achieved by reflecting on a situation that involved similar emotions. However, empathize comes far more naturally when you have experienced firsthand what someone else is going through. For the same reason, empathize with someone who has drastically different life experience than you own could be challenging. Knowing empathy is a crucial component of developing relationship, I would make an argument that we are attracted to those similar to us because it is easier to empathize with them; the relationship progresses faster and with greater ease.

I’m always surprised when people give so much attention to the diversity of their contacts (in turns of race and ethnicity). I can honestly say race has never been a point meriting specific recognition. This is not to say I’m not interested who they are and where they’ve come from but rather I’ve never define someone as their race. I focus on describing them by their personality, character, and interests. It’s hard for me to grasp why skin color merits so much attention from both the majority and minorities. I know when you are in the minority you are more sensitive to the majority. Trying to emphasize, I tried to come up with a situation(s) in which I was in the minority and made conscious mental notes about it. Two examples came to mind (1) classes that were male dominated and (2) situations in which I was the non-native speaker. Thinking back to these help me relate and understand the notion of viewing from aspects far more superficial than character and personality. In both those situations, nothing was really changed about the potential to form relationship but I’m sure in some aspects it had an impact on how I communicated.

(1) When do you find it easiest to empathize? And most difficult?

(2) How can we further develop our ability to empathize with others?