Professor explores social justice through empathy
Dr. Paula Whitaker (Photo: Kierston Smith)
Psychology professor offers insight
By Joshua Ford
CIU Student Writer
The College of Arts & Sciences continued 鈥淩esponses to Injustice鈥 seminars with the听latest听viewpoint coming from Associate Professor of Psychology . Her topic was Social Justice Through Empathy.听
鈥淲e may think we鈥檙e being empathetic but we鈥檙e really seeing things from our point of view,鈥 said Whitaker.听
Whitaker began the seminar by showing听emotional听videos from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana听in 2005, and听a 1927 flood that hit the same area.听In the video, survivors were pleading for help nearly bringing Whitaker to tears.听The footage forced the viewers to step into the lives of those impacted to show true empathy.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 interesting how human nature tends to make us not want to stop for other people,鈥 said Beth Smith, a .听鈥淏ut one of the points (Dr. Whitaker) was making is that as Christians we鈥檙e called to stop. Doing that goes against human nature so we听have to听be听really mindful听to do that.鈥
Whitaker went on to discuss steps that believers can take to foster social empathy: Exposure, explanation and experience were the key points, but it starts with being honest with oneself.听
鈥淲e have to get out of our comfort zone if you鈥檙e going to meet people different than you,鈥 Whitaker said.听
That brought a response from Smith.
鈥淪ometimes I just need to get over myself to show empathy,鈥 Smith said. 鈥淚t could be a situation where I feel听uncomfortable,听so I don鈥檛 do it.听So听it鈥檚 about getting over myself so I can go do it.鈥澨
Whitaker used an听experiment听from Chicago University to urge the audience into action. The study found that rats were able to show empathy by completing a challenge and going back to help the other rats get the prize.听
鈥淚f rats can do it, so can we,鈥 Whitaker said.听
On a final note, Whitaker used Romans 12:15-16a (Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another) to show how Scripture encourages empathy.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 a mistake that Scripture puts empathy and harmonizing next to each other,鈥 Whitaker stated.听
听With听,听CIU consistently ranks听among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a听.听听on enrollment at CIU and听听at听(800) 777-2227, ext. 5024 or听.听 听 听听