Conflict and confrontation can be a daily occurrence in everyday life. They can be incited by a difference of opinion, religious belief, social conduct or even parking disputes. Though these disconcerting moments can be frequent, many people are not properly equipped to navigate or deal with these uncomfortable moments.

Kimberly Jackson Davidson is the director of the Yeworkwha Belachew Center for Dialogue (YBCD) and the ombudsperson for Oberlin College. As such, she has intimate experience with traversing interpersonal misunderstandings and facilitating clear and honest conversations. On Oct. 23, Davidson will be leading a public dialogue entitled Power of Empathy at the Morris K Wosk Centre.

The benefits behind listening

In some ways the quest to expand and increase multiculturalism has forgone diversity of thought, oftentimes treating entire groups as monolithic or even criticizing those whose opinions stray from expectations. When asked if Davidson believes that racial diversity may be harder for some to accept than diversity of thought, her reply is cautious.

“I believe – based on experience – that people deal with differences more easily when they have the opportunity to slow down and privilege understanding over persuasion and being correct,” she says.

She continues by explaining that listening to others while not challenging them and allowing space for mutual acceptance is integral to forwarding dialogue. Openness to challenging perspectives in lieu of being right can open the door to finding important and productive common ground and mutually beneficial paths forward. Though this can seem difficult in the face of drastic differences, Davidson sincerely believes that the struggle is ultimately beneficial.

“We probably have had new experiences with people that we are different from that will help us to acknowledge the unwelcome perspective and to ponder what need, value or aspect of our identity has been undermined by the encounter that triggers us,” she explains.

Empathy is not new

Many people may feel as if current relations between political rivals or disparate ideologies are at a worse state than ever before, however, Davidson contends that the context of the time and conversation as well as the shift in boundaries and norms has more to do with the current state of dialogue than a shift in our ability to empathize.

“I suspect in many instances that social and cultural expectations related to mannerly communication might have masked the absence of empathy. Empathy is not a new concept,” she says.

Kimberly Jackson Davidson. | Photo courtesy of SFU

In addition, the media has played an outsized role in both helping and hobbling relations. In her opinion the media has done well by presenting counter-narratives of historic events commonly presented in ways that reinforce the view of the mainstream (a master narrative). Master narratives often obscure why some groups continue to express an experience of past and present disenfranchisement leading to further misunderstanding and neglect.

On the other hand, the news media is a double-edged sword. It has helped to connect the world and to keep us informed. However, the news media has in many ways helped to perpetuate biased and monolithic views of different people in ways that can reinforce derogatory stereotypes. This has allowed people to become lazy and unconcerned about understanding those whose life experiences and world views are different.

The hard part of human nature

The most pessimistic outlook to the question of empathy would state that human nature ultimately prevents humankind from accepting itself in total without prejudice. When faced with this perspective Davidson acknowledges the hint of truth in it, but quickly separates it from the potential peoplehave.

“I think it hinders us from easily choosing to accept people who seem very different, however, I don’t believe our human instinct to protect ourselves ‘prevents’ us from being accepting on a broader scale,” she says. “[I believe] that if I practice behaving in ways that seek to value others and their differences when the opportunity presents itself my effort will have an impact on others.”

For more information, please visit www.sfu.ca/dialogue/news-and-events/archives/2019/bruce—lis-welch-community-dialogue–power-of-empathy.html