Introduction
Empathy is the ability to comprehend and share another person’s feelings, which is necessary for people to connect and create understanding. Racism and misogyny, in contrast, are systemic issues that prevent individuals from genuinely empathizing with others. Racism and misogyny are profoundly embedded in our culture, causing harm and injustice to vulnerable communities. This essay will examine the challenges of empathy in addressing racism and misogyny, provide an overview of the context of the issue, and propose two potential solutions to the problem.
Problem Statement
Racism and misogyny are structural problems that impede people from feeling empathy for others. A lack of empathy for underprivileged communities promotes their marginalization and oppression. In the instance of racism, white people may not comprehend the experiences of people of color, resulting in a lack of empathy for their plight. This has the potential to perpetuate discriminatory institutions and practices that affect people of color.
Similarly, in the case of sexism, males may not comprehend women’s perspectives, leading to a lack of empathy for their difficulties. This has the potential to perpetuate patriarchal institutions and policies that damage women.
Context
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing are two works that explore the theme of empathy within the context of racism. Atticus Finch, a white lawyer, represents a Black man called Tom Robinson, who has been wrongfully convicted of rape in To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus attempts to comprehend and connect with the lives of Black people through his portrayal of Tom. The film, however, highlights the limitations of empathy, as Atticus ultimately fails to prevent Tom’s unjust conviction.
Similarly, in Do the Right Thing, Spike Lee portrays the tension and violence that arise between Black and white communities in a Brooklyn neighborhood. The movie emphasizes the lack of empathy between both cultures, which leads to violence and injury because they are unable to comprehend one another’s experiences and hardships.
Clueless, by Amy Heckerling, and 10 Things I Hate About You, by Gil Junger, are two films that highlight the issue of empathy in relation to misogyny. In Clueless, the character of Cher, a privileged high school student, learns to empathize with her classmates and recognize her own privilege. She recognizes the challenges faced by her less fortunate peers and takes steps to support them.
Similarly, in 10 Things I Hate About You, the character of Kat, a feminist high school student, challenges the patriarchal norms of her school and community. She learns to sympathize with other women’s hardships and takes action to combat the institutions and policies that promote sexism.
Reasonable Solutions
Solution 1: Increase Representation in Media
Increased representation in the media is one way to address the issue of empathy with respect to racism and misogyny. The media has a significant influence on our worldview and our capacity to sympathize with others. The media, on the other hand, frequently fails to adequately depict underrepresented communities, promoting stereotypes and restricting empathy for these groups.
Dunn, Jonathan, et al., “Black Representation in Film and TV: The Challenges and Impact of Increasing Diversity,” highlights the need for increased representation of Black individuals in media. According to the survey, Black individuals, including writers, producers, and directors, are underrepresented in critical professions within the entertainment industry. Increased representation of Black people in these roles may lead to more realistic and diverse depictions of Black experiences, thereby improving empathy for this group.
Solution 2: Education and Awareness
Education and awareness are other ways to address the issue of empathy regarding racism and sexism. Empathy for underrepresented populations can be increased through education and increased knowledge. Individuals can gain a deeper understanding and develop compassion for oppressed groups by learning about their experiences and the challenges they face.
Naa Baako Ako-Adjei’s article, “Why It’s Time Schools Stopped Teaching To Kill a Mockingbird,” argues that To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel often taught in schools, fails to represent the experiences of Black people accurately and perpetuates a “white savior” narrative. Instead, Ako-Adjei believes schools should focus on teaching literature authored by Black authors that correctly depicts Black life. Students can develop a deeper understanding and empathy for Black people by learning about their experiences.
Most Effective Solution
While both approaches can address the issue of empathy in the context of racism and sexism, we feel that education and awareness are the most successful. Education and knowledge can address the underlying causes of empathy deficiencies while promoting systemic change. Teaching and learning can foster a deeper understanding and empathy for disadvantaged individuals, ultimately leading to more meaningful and lasting change (Lanzoni). Individuals can have a better grasp of the structural factors that perpetuate racism and sexism by participating in critical dialogues and learning about the experiences and challenges of oppressed groups. This excellent knowledge can lead to more substantial and long-term transformation by fostering systemic change rather than surface-level change.
Conclusion
Individuals must be able to empathize to form connections and create understanding. Racism and misogyny, on the other hand, are structural flaws that prohibit people from feeling empathy for underprivileged groups. To solve the issue of compassion regarding racism and misogyny, two solutions that may be applied are increased media representation and education and awareness. While both approaches can potentially solve the problem, education and awareness are the most successful. Individuals can gain a deeper understanding and empathy for oppressed groups by learning about their experiences and challenges, thereby driving systemic change and fostering a fairer and more equitable society.
Works Cited
Ako-Adjei, Naa Baako. “Why It’s Time Schools Stopped Teaching To Kill a Mockingbird.” Transition: An International Review, no. 122. 2017, p. 182-200. JSTOR. Web.
Clueless. Directed by Amy Heckerling, Paramount Pictures, 1995.
Dunn, Jonathan, et al. “Black Representation in Film and TV: The Challenges and Impact of Increasing Diversity.” McKinsey & Company, 2021. Web.
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Web.
Lanzoni, Susan. “Why Empathy Is the Key to Dismantling White Racism.” Washington Post, 2019. Web.
“Spike Lee on Do the Right Thing’s Legacy.” YouTube, uploaded by The Guardian, 2009. Web.
To Kill a Mockingbird. Directed by Robert Mulligan, Universal Pictures, 1962.
10 Things I Hate about You. Directed by Gil Junger, Buena Vista Pictures, 1999.