Lost Empathy?

2020 is quite frankly a year we all want to forget, yet we are still reeling in the aftermath of its destruction. From natural disasters, untimely deaths, a pandemic down to a declining mental health crisis we have become desensitized to empathy. Oh, we still care, but our level and limit of caring for others is blinded by our own problems and turmoil’s. This is beyond a generational issue but a society issue that each one of us is facing. I too am finding myself victim to the inability to absorb someone else’s pain because I am barely processing my own.

Empathy is something that needs to be practiced maintaining itself in the forefront of your life. We as humans can be empathetic when we have experiences that are relatable. But when we are overloaded on our own stress, issues, pain, and loss how on earth are we able to absorb others pain and hurt? We put on blinders or think to ourselves how we are going through the same thing so what can I do. This past year has not only brought on many issues we are left to deal with but also put us in a detached sense of mind as well. We have lost the art of human interaction which hones our empathetic skills.

Faith, religion, and church always had empathy play an important role in our development. Yet, with lack of church services and for some of us lack or loss of faith during the pandemic has decreased our ability to feel much of anything for others. Being detached from society, interaction, and social gathering it is easier to turn a blind eye to your hurting neighbor or friend. Moments of giving and donating are all but gone now as we all struggle to survive in the aftermath of a year, we all wish to forget. Leading us into territory that is unforgiving, relentless, and even unchartered for many of us. But not something this country has not seen before.

During the Great Depression Franklin D Roosevelt held many airwave messages to evoke empathy towards Americans. Many children looked up to Eleanor Roosevelt for guidance and help, due to her empathic views. Yet, even that turned fruitless as the depression got worse and blame was laid upon President Roosevelt. But even so, families would help their neighbors with food or other means that would help a family survive. Empathy was still alive even during a time which I believe is worse than what 2020 gave us. Unfortunately, as we evolved, we lost empathy and some even lost faith. This creates a disaster for dealing with pandemics.

How can empathy expect to win when we cannot agree to disagree on anything? Politics has made a huge divide in our country more so that I have ever seen growing up. There is a divide in social equality, race equality and even in religion. Nothing but lines drawn and lost empathy. America is not what it was destined to be, a breeding ground for greatness and possibility. Now we are a divided country with so much hate I cannot fathom how empathy will ever return. I have watched friends quarrel and families destroyed over beliefs that do not include empathy. Churches struggle to maintain a parish and spread a positive word. We as humans, as Americans needs to all practice empathy in some fashion. We are all struggling but some are worse off, and it is not for us to judge but extend empathy.

We cannot let empathy be lost in a pandemic or natural disaster, we must fight even harder to regain control and extend a heling hand to one another. We may have masks that disguise our faces and make it easier to hide or social gatherings at limited basis. But we are still capable of extending empathy and love. I ask that each one of you practice empathy this week and let us see how that boosts our morale.