Passivity is America’s deadliest weapon.
Some may argue our nuclear artillery is the country’s most destructive force, far surpassing the impacts of indifference. However, closed-mindedness is parasitically devouring this nation right beneath our noses — far beyond the reach of any weaponry.
From comment section quarrels to the president’s incessant rants on Truth Social, we are currently living through a historic empathy drought where self-righteousness and apathy have become the norm. This stark uptick in ignorant tendencies has arguably risen out of near-primitive survival instincts exacerbated by the increasingly tense and prejudiced climate shrouding this country.
I noticed this trend of defaulting to indifference after the murder of U.S. citizen Renée Good by ICE agents in January. While mass protests erupted across the country in her wake, I found myself in conversations with classmates and even friends who said her death had nothing to do with them, and they therefore have no obligation to care. This blatant lack of empathy is further proof of the self-centered habits furthering the empathy drought.
Regardless of its origin, this empathy drought is corroding the United States at breakneck speed. During this tumultuous time, community and intersectional support are more valuable than ever. Yet, collective indifference is thwarting steps taken toward true liberty and justice for all, dampening even the smallest flames of social progress.
These flames, however, can certainly be rekindled by sublimating inherent assumptions into the willingness to listen, to be curious and to understand. As deeply-flawed human beings, we possess a moral obligation to learn and grow from one another, which does not always entail shifting our opinions and beliefs. In fact, when we are confronted with conflicting viewpoints, our preconceived notions of the world can actually have the opportunity to be emboldened.
However, empathy should never be abused to justify bigotry — prejudice should not be allowed to fester under the excuse of broadened understanding. Instead, we should prioritize curiosity when engaging with differing viewpoints, as doing so is ultimately how we cultivate empathy and override hatred.
With that being said, selective empathy can be the antithesis of being open-minded, which is why it is highly crucial to place inquisitiveness at the forefront of our worldviews. Reserving empathy for someone or something can, in extreme cases, be rationalized, but refusing partiality at every instance of a differing opinion does not strengthen your opinions. It weakens them.
So, as self-prioritization continues to plague our popular and political cultures, I encourage you to open your eyes even the slightest bit wider to appreciate the diversity of thought which makes this country so beautiful. There is something truly powerful about empathy.
It may be somewhat cliché to say kindness and curiosity are, in combination, more powerful than any venomous jab at a differing perspective. But if empathy is truly the antidote to prejudice, perhaps that cliché is worth repeating.
Siena Ferraro is a freshman studying journalism. Do you agree that people have lost empathy in this sociopolitical climate? Send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com
