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reckoning with our own racial biases in the summer. We are all striving to be more empathetic to gain a better understanding of how racial inequality affects all of us.
The U.S. election and the results revealed what we have long known: we are a divided nation that has, for too long, only spoken to people in our own “bubbles”. These bubbles are self-created, but they are also a result of the divisiveness sown by political leaders and social media algorithms. The 2020 election was a clear choice between two very distinct visions for America. One candidate preached “us vs. them” and the other spoke of “unity” and “being a president for all Americans.” I, for one, am glad that the candidate that led with empathy won.
: Are there instances where empathy is awkward?
: I always like to clarify that empathy is an attempt to understand someone else’s truth. As a Chinese American cis male, I will never fully understand what it is truly like to be a trans Black woman (for example), no matter how empathetic of an actor I am. Empathy gets awkward when we assume that our empathy gives us the complete picture. It never will. But it’s the act that counts. It’s the intention behind that attempt.
: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for empathy in your workforce and workplace, and the world?
: COVID has forced all of us to take an intermission. We have the opportunity to reset, reboot, and restart with a better understanding of how vital empathy is in our lives. Corporations and businesses (and yes, even Broadway) have sometimes valued profits over people. I think we have a rare opportunity to collectively decide that moving forward in a “business as usual” manner, without empathy, will not benefit us in the long run. Rebooting with empathy as a priority is not only good for corporate office culture but also for culture overall. Theater artists will continue to use our talents and platforms to be agents of empathy.
“ The pandemic has forced us to reflect with absolute
i
ntention and prioritize based on human-centered principles. Gone are the days of “one size fits all”. Empathy enables us to act in ways that are aligned with our values, our mission, and our “ purpose, and requires authenticity, vulnerability, and honesty.
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- Erin DeStefanis
Manager, Corporate Training, Freedom Mortgage