Empathy Matters

A great thought occurred to me in conversation today. We are pushed to choose a side even when we are not sure if we should. You even learn in college writing classes to choose an argument because writing is weakest when it toes the line. (Here comes my third Hamilton reference in a row) “If you stand for nothing, what will you fall for?”

But is that right? Can neutrality be a strong position? What does neutrality signify?

On a few occasions in my life I’ve held a community position that has an unspoken requirement of political neutrality. It’s in those times where my stance has been to empathize with those that are hurting despite whether I agree with the reason they are hurting or not.

But when I think about it, there really is nothing weak about standing with those who are hurting regardless of agreement.

I don’t lose face if I accept another’s anguish as valid. I only gain a friend. A friend, that may one day understand my plight.

I don’t lose face if I can’t claim to understand everything. But I can understand pain in any degree.

I may not have the capacity to do anything about everything. But I can empathize. I can always empathize.