You shook things up this week and did another hard thing: you practiced EMPATHY in some radical ways! It’s not easy to lay aside the comfort of sticking with our like-minded tribes, but you did it! You stepped outside the lines and dared to listen and learn from a perspective entirely different from your own, and you dug deep to find your shared experiences in their story. Was it a bit of a stretch for you or is empathy your superpower (if it is, please share your secret with the rest of us!)? We’d love to hear more about what DARE #2 was like for you, where ya got stuck, and what you learned.
Here are a few prompts to get our discussion going:
- How easy or difficult was it for you to practice empathy?
- What emotion, motivation, or experience was most easy for you to connect with as you practiced empathy (ex: fear, safety, anger)?
- When you notice yourself thinking or speaking in terms of “us” and “them,” what do you think blocks you from accessing that empathy?
A few quick community guidelines to create a safe space for all of us to show up, be seen, and share openly here:
- Differing perspectives and opinions are welcomed in this space (the more diverse our experiences and backgrounds, the better)! We will focus on voicing OUR OWN perspectives, without shaming or devaluing the expressed opinions of others.
- This is a platform that affirms the inherent dignity of every human life. Our comments will never demean an individual or an entire group of people.
- We are here to share our ideas and learn from each other so that we can help our nation heal and remember our shared humanity. We are not showing up with the goal of drilling home our point or winning a debate.
- These discussions are a place to have fun, gain fresh perspective, and connect with other people. We show up with a willingness and commitment to take up space in such a way that all three are possible for all who gather here.
If you’ve stumbled on this discussion page and are interested in joining us for the UBUNTU UNITY CHALLENGE, there’s still time to join the crew! Just head on over to the UBUNTU UNITY CHALLENGE info page, enter your name and email, and click “I’m up for the Challenge!”
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3 Comments
As I let the dare simmer in my mind through the week, I happened upon a news article today that brought many of these issues to light for me. I admit to being very unfamiliar with the middle eastern culture. Although I can acknowledge my chasm of ignorance, I realized that for the most part I am fine to ignore it. However, the recent withdrawal from Afghanistan (which coincided with my birthday) brought up many distressing, conflicting, unresolved questions I have as a result of my lack of contact. It is easy to think of “them” being “over there” and the problem feeling too big and too much for me to do anything about. Yet, I just felt so horrible with the idea of so many people who gave aid to the U.S. and being left behind. The article I read today about an Afghan man who had once heroically accompanied the rescue team that drove deep into the hills at night to rescue then-Senator Biden and Senator Kerry was gut-wrenching to listen his plea to “not be forgotten” and not “be left behind”. Thankfully, this story had a happy ending with heroic veterans getting him out of the country and through Pakistan! I found such hope in this give and take. The whole situation highlights the common humanity of needing safety and stability and the reality that sometimes you can give it, but sometimes you need it. We were created to be interdependent. My therapist once told me, “Coco, you are your best self when you need other people.” I’m still working on it.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kadiagoba/afghan-interpreter-biden-evacuated
Coco, I LOVE your reflection and the way you were able to make an international connection with your dare. You gave me a lot to think about with your comment, “Sometimes you can give it, but sometimes you need it. We were created to be interdependent.” There is a lot of wisdom in that, and I admire the humility of recognizing that sometimes we are in a position to give and at other times we are in a position where we need to receive from others. Appreciate your bravery to show up fully in the challenge and for sharing your experience with us here. Looking forward to diving into the article!
I was also struck by the end of your response, so thank you for sharing. I often say “we were created for community” but then what your therapist says to you hit me deeply as something I need to work on too. Apparently I just like the part of community where other people have needs. Haha.