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chasmodaiFor the past several days, I've been thinking a great deal about empathy. Many people have said that Donald Trump lacks empathy. I agree that I haven't seen any evidence that he is capable of empathy. Many of his followers seem to lack empathy too, in their unwillingness to wear masks to protect others, and in the way they are more concerned about the fact that people are protesting in the streets than the reasons for the protests. I think that empathy is something that sets us apart. But having empathy doesn't mean "weak." It doesn't mean "giving in." It doesn't mean agreement. It doesn't even mean forgiveness. It's a willingness to acknowledge the humanity in another, even if they are immoral, criminal, or misguided. We can have empathy, be strong, and stand on our principles. Not everyone is capable of empathy, but for those of us who are, it can be like a muscle that gets stronger with use. I think that one of the things that will help us to survive the catastrophic virus and catastrophic climate change etc. will be empathy, combined with resolve. I would like to suggest that we can even have empathy for Donald Trump. Consider the hell it must be to walk in his shoes - a need for approval so desperate that he lies about his approval ratings and the numbers who turn up for his events. A presidency that is such a miserable failure that his only campaign message is one of fear propaganda. So next time I am tempted to angrily tell off a Trump supporter, I'm going to try to speak the truth with empathy instead. I'd like to encourage others to join me, and let me know how it goes.
People have been asking me how I can have empathy for a monster. Here is my answer: I'm not perfect. No one is. There have been times when I could have been kinder or more generous. I've only started to get "woke" in the last 20 years. I was even a Republican before I knew better. I'm not making excuses for Trump. He's a monster. But the humanity in me recognizes that he is also human. Empathy helps me, not him because it helps me cope with my feelings of disgust and anger. I will not vote for Trump. But I also will not gloat and dance with glee when he experiences defeat and the consequences of his actions. I may celebrate that we don't have to cope with four more years of suffering, but I will not celebrate the suffering of anyone, not even a monster.
People have been asking me how I can have empathy for a monster. Here is my answer: I'm not perfect. No one is. There have been times when I could have been kinder or more generous. I've only started to get "woke" in the last 20 years. I was even a Republican before I knew better. I'm not making excuses for Trump. He's a monster. But the humanity in me recognizes that he is also human. Empathy helps me, not him because it helps me cope with my feelings of disgust and anger. I will not vote for Trump. But I also will not gloat and dance with glee when he experiences defeat and the consequences of his actions. I may celebrate that we don't have to cope with four more years of suffering, but I will not celebrate the suffering of anyone, not even a monster.
