The Challenge of Empathy: From Feeling to Action
We are more connected than we can ever imagine! The world we inhabit is so tiny, and our bonds with each other run deep. It’s crucial that we take care of one another; our world is built on a foundation of love, not hate. We must nurture this love to rebuild our society for future generations.
Let me share a powerful story of this interconnectedness. My name is Randa, a Palestinian journalist was living in Gaza, where my family continues to endure the horrors of ongoing genocide. I currently find myself in Finland, and it’s striking how small this world truly is.
My story began six years ago when Jukka, a journalist from Helsingin Sanomat, visited my home in Gaza. We engaged in meaningful discussions about nonviolence as a culture. Inspired by our conversations, I wrote a piece about love amidst the chaos in Gaza during a time of genocide. Subsequently, Arto Sivonen, the founder of Mandag, discovered my work on Instagram and reached out to express his gratitude for my writing.
Months later, I won a scholarship for an internship, and Arto’s message of encouragement came flooding back to me. And now, here I am, witnessing the miracles that can happen even in the darkest of times. What a small world we live in!
You may ask, Where are the miracles? It is just a visa!
I will say it is indeed just a visa, but I am Palestinian,I feel privileged to be here while millions of Palestinians lack the freedom to travel from one city to another.
If we are truly connected, how can we best support and uplift one another? What does it mean to truly feel and understand each other’s experiences?
Today, as I tell my friend “Shatha”—who now lives in Gaza—that I will attend a demonstration in Finland for Gaza, she responds with a heavy dose of sarcasm: “You’ve been going to demonstrations for almost a year, and nothing has changed. The killing machine is still working. We are still losing people, and some of our friends are still under the rubble.”
In that moment, I fell silent, acutely aware of her pain. How can I possibly engage in a discussion when she is living through the agony of loss every minute? The weight of her feelings of betrayal hangs in the air, and I feel helpless.
As I reflect on my feelings, I find myself questioning my empathy. Am I, the daughter of Gaza, truly empathizing with my people?
What does it mean to empathize when it feels like my actions have not contributed to alleviating the suffering of my family, friends, and community?
In my search for answers, I turn to the Cambridge Dictionary, which defines empathy as the ability to share someone else’s feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in their position.
But is it enough to simply imagine? Is feeling sorry for them sufficient?
As someone who has experienced aggression and trauma, I believe that the burden of deception—of expecting the world to act—can be heavier than the burden of our own lives. The people of Gaza did not anticipate that the world would watch their suffering in silence, merely posting on social media or attending demonstrations as a way to ease their consciences.
Empathy is not enough; we need empathy in action.
This principle is one of the core values we uphold at Måndag. Our feelings must manifest in practical actions. While poetry and expression hold significant value, we must recognize that our world is facing critical challenges that demand more than mere empathy.
According to We Are Social 2024 statistics, one of the primary reasons people use social media is to stay connected with friends, family, and loved ones. This highlights our innate social nature and the human desire to communicate, share news, and express joy and sorrow. However, empathy transcends merely imagining ourselves in someone else’s shoes; it is the catalyst for change.
So, how can we take the first step toward practical empathy?
By taking action to create change.
In line with the change we seek and work for, Mandag will host the event “Experience the Palestinian Life” on November 2nd, which brings together journalists, activists, and civil society organizations. In this special event, we aim to highlight the Palestinians and their simple lives to the world, to know them closer, as human beings who love, and deserve to live a “normal life.”
In conclusion, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for being part of this community. Thank you for engaging with this article; your interest reflects a shared commitment to our collective responsibilities. Together, we can create a better world for everyone.