This woman’s empathy shown at city council about her similar experience to that of Atatiana Jefferson shows an empathy most should have. Her message about her dog should be piercing to all. Atatiana’s shooting gives perspective.
She walked up to the podium on a mission. It was clear that she knew exactly what to say. After all, she lived Atatiana Jefferson’s experience albeit with a different hue but in a situation that would seem more volatile. Yet, she was unscathed never fearing she would be alright.
But what concerned her most during her encounter with the police late that night? She was not stressing with fear that the cops would harm her. Instead, she feared they would shoot her dog.
Her empathy then was for her dog she feared may have gotten shot.
The different experiences of people because of externalities whether they be the treatment they receive from racial profiling, or any other subjective reason, dictates behavior and feelings. The ability to have others project that on to you, or to intentionally virtually crawl into another’s skin is the type of empathy that is needed now.
More importantly, this woman was not only complaining, for the sake of complaining. She had and wanted a plan of action. “I can name names,” she said. Now that is what I am talking about.
