What is empathetic listening?Įmpathetic listening is the next stage beyond active listening. That’s where empathetic listening comes in. You may have heard of “active listening”, but even that falls slightly short of what is needed to facilitate meaningful conversations around race. Groups used to having their voices disregarded or silenced need to be heard-those accustomed to being listened to need to make space for this to happen. White people, in particular, need to learn to listen during these conversations. This is not truly listening, and it’s actively harmful in the context of discussions around race. They might take turns in conversations, but they use the time when others speak to prepare their following statement.
EMPATHETIC LISTENING HOW TO
We also need to understand how to listen.įor a skill we (theoretically) use every day, many people aren’t actually very good at listening. We’ve talked about phrases we should avoid using and resources to help you guide conversations around racial rights, but knowing how to talk about racial justice is only half the battle. After all, how we talk about these issues directly influences how well we can bring others with us and create the momentum needed for change.
We’ve spent a lot of time recently thinking about how we have these conversations. They are also an opportunity to learn more about the experiences of others and to understand the complexities of creating real change. Such conversations allow us to communicate our challenges and express our lived experiences. Talking about race is essential if we are going to create a more equitable and just society.
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