September 15, 2014 - 23:06
I agree yet disagree! I would like to just remind readers what exactly empathy means and what exactly to empathize for someone could actually look like. So, empathy is more of an ability. In other words, you’re able or unable to empathize with someone else. To empathize, you are able to understand or to simply connect with another person. Therefore, you both are now able to share feelings amongst each other on a personal connection. I agree that empathy is one of the most important human emotion one can feel because of its power to bond and unite cultures, races, religions, etc. However, I don’t think empathy is what bonds human societies together. I do think it can have the power to bond us all though. It gives us what we need to be a stable, yet striving country as a whole. Personally, I’ve witnessed empathy being throw at people and tossed around a room when in reality, it wasn’t genuine at all. In order to empathize, the same level has to be established amongst the opposing parties. Most of the time, people show empathy when something negative impacts their lives. Unfortunate, yes! But, this is true. For example, the states directly influence with the talk of 9/11 shown empathy for each other. I know I was only in Kindergarden (like the rest of you) I can still remember that day clearly. In Philadelphia, the streets rested. No unnecessary crime, no gossip, no yelling— everyone shown empathy towards and for each other because we thought we might be targeted next. New York was hit. Philly next and Washington. We were sure. We walked home to be with our families as fast as we could, but along the way, we acknowledged others and asked if they had a way to get home. Things like that NEVER happen. But, it happened that day. That is empathy. The ability to understand. However, for states on the West coast- they could only feel bad or sorry for the East Coast because it wasn’t them. It didn’t directly hit them. It didn’t involve the West coast at all even though they were informed. As a nation we were all informed that day. But, it doesn’t mean everyone empathized for one another. Some did and other just had sympathy, which is bad, but isn’t as meaning. It isn’t on the same level.