https://www.terrigivens.com/radicalempathy/
Radical empathy is the practice of moving past basic sympathy to confront our own hidden biases and take active steps against social injustice, as defined by political scientist Terri Givens. [1, 2]
Core Meaning
- Self-Reflection: You examine your own identity, background, and personal biases.
- Deep Listening: You immerse yourself in another person's real story without immediate judgment.
The Six Steps
Terri Givens outlines six key steps to practice radical empathy:
- Be vulnerable: Allow yourself to face uncomfortable truths and emotions.
- Ground yourself: Understand your own identity and values first.
- Be open: Listen to the lived experiences of people who are different from you.
- Practice empathy: Make empathy a daily habit rather than a passing mood.
- Take action: Do the work required to address unfair systems and bias.
