Empathy vs. Indifference

“And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.” (Matthew 12:7 ESV)

Nick Wright is a popular sports commentator on FOX. He is Caucasian while his wife, Danielle Wright, is Black. In a recent interview, Nick described how his own experiences as a White male in America are different than the experiences of his 18-year-old Black son. Nick uses his influence to plead for empathy and compassion for his son and others who are routinely targeted by authorities because of the way they look. 

Order and predictability are easier in homogenous communities, because it is easier to relate to those who have similar experiences. Yet, even in countries where everyone looks the same, people are marginalized for other reasons. This desire to establish hierarchy is part of our primitive nature.  Seeing ourselves as special and separate is one of the ways we justify self-preservation. This leads to authoritarianism, which is not known for empathy, but for mercilessness. Those with power construct rules to retain power.  When we treat some humans as lesser members of society, when we do not say their names, when we use stereotypes to describe them as thugs, criminals, illegals, rapists--we dehumanize them. We add fuel to flames of animosity. 

How can we cultivate empathy for those who are dissimilar? Let’s look at how we feel toward our pets.  Even though we cannot experience the world the way our dogs do, we still have empathy for them. Why? We humanize our pets; we name them and treat them as part of our families. We love them and do everything we can to take care of them. Why do we find it difficult to extend even this bare minimum level of compassion for our fellow humans? 

Empathy is the ability to connect with others, even when they are different. Compassion is the willingness to share in their suffering. The opposite of empathy is not hate, but indifference--it is a disinclination to look at things from someone else’s perspective. Jesus asked us to be compassionate, to have mercy, to extend grace. As followers of Christ, let us cultivate empathy--and humanize all humans. Let us find ways to relate and see each other as belonging to the same tribe.