Empathy in practice; unearthing community
Duration
1 minute (plus discussion time)
Recommended amount of people
2-6
Skills
Belonging, gratitude, empathy, curiosity
What?
A photography-based exercise to discover and discuss the concept of community, and our place in it. This exercise was developed by Stephanie Briggs, an English professor in Baltimore (the U.S.) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBxivwUuzQM.
Why?
When we think of empathy, we often think of the ability that some of us possess, to automatically feel another person’s emotions. In other words, empathy is typically regarded as a subconscious response that does not require any effort.
In reality, it has been suggested that empathy is a three-dimensional concept, which includes (but is not limited to) feeling the emotions of others. The other two ways that empathy manifests itself is cognitively (being able to recognize and interpret what someone is feeling) and in practice (wanting to take action to in response to someone’s emotions)
This activity therefore hopes to bring two topics to the table: the concept of empathy in practice and the concept of community.
After all, beautiful things can happen if empathy is unlocked to its fullest potential.
Instructions
1
Prior to coming together for a discussion, go out into your community and per question, take a photo for something represents the answer to the following:
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What is beautiful in my community?
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What is difficult in my community?
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What needs to change in my community?
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What has shaped me in my community?
2
When everyone has prepared their photos, come together to present your story, and share with the rest of the group what you have chosen to capture and why. Although you already be answering this question during your discussions, make sure to consider the answer to the following question: what does community mean to you?
NOTE: a lack of photos and a difficulty to find subjects to portray the answers to these questions can also serve as valuable points of discussion
3
After everyone has shared, take a moment to think about your role within your community.
What are you doing/can you do about the things that are difficult in your community and the things that need to change in your community? Why or why aren’t you doing these things? What is stopping you? What motivates you?