Can Empathy Be Taught?

Currently I am teaching a class called "Social Media in a Global Context". Not only are the students learning about how to use social media tools for academic purposes, but they are also learning how to use the social media tools to solve real world problems. How do we connect people with organizations that provide helpful services? How do we help people communicate with one another?

This is the first year that my co-researcher and I are teaching this class. We had some assumptions going into the class, as our students are primarily first year undergraduates who love social media and use it often. They alternately use their phones, the desktop computers in the classroom, and laptops to try out different social media tools, as well as to locate information. They can spend all day and night talking about the social media apps and tools they have found, and the pros and cons of each type.

In the beginning of the semester, we had the students come up with a shared definition of "social media". We also discussed what it means to be a global citizen, and we came up with two shared definitions of "global citizenship":

"A global citizen sees themselves and others as first and foremost, human.  A global citizen thus does not discriminate based on nationality, race, gender, religion, sexuality, or any other secondary identities.  Instead, a global citizen sees these differences as fascinating- as new things to be learned and respected.  The beauty of being able to learn from every individual, place, and event amazes a global citizen, and they also recognize that they also have something to offer.  Every single person has had a different experience from all others; the fascination in these different experiences characterizes a global citizen. Global citizens often are proponents of human rights, stay informed on global affairs, and have a love for travel- this is inspired by their love and interest in all people" ("What is the Definition of a Global Citizen?" Young Global Citizen).

"Global citizenship is an umbrella term for the social, political, environmental, or economic actions of globally-minded individuals and communities on a worldwide scale. The term can refer to the belief that, rather than actors affecting isolated societies, individuals are members of multiple, diverse, local and non-local networks" ("Global Citizenship", United Nations Academic Impact Hub on Global Citizenship).

While students felt strongly about these definitions, and most believed that they were shining examples of global citizens, this week's class activity showed that some of my students have a long way to go in terms of empathy.

In order to model a process for solving a real world problem using social media, I introduced a scenario to the class of a homeless teen whose education was interrupted due to their homeless state. I did not identify the race, gender, sexual orientation, or other identifying factors about the teen, other than their homelessness. During our discussion, it so happened that two of the students "came out" and told the class that they had been homeless for extended parts of their life. Neither of the students are urban kids; all of the students in this class live in small towns or in the country. Apparently, there were students who were not listening, as some of the students asked in their online reflections why they had to learn about homelessness; there was no homelessness in the towns where they grew up, and no one cared if their classmates dropped out of school. I was absolutely shocked! So we have to dig deeper, and do a little more educating of souls as well as minds.

Support for the 2014 Olympics is Support for Russia's War on Homosexuality

In 1936, when other nations threatened to boycott the Berlin Olympics because Hitler had declared that no blacks or Jews should compete in Berlin, Hitler recapitulated to the point where he demanded that all "No Jews" signs be removed during the Games, and that all police and brownshirts hold back on beatings of Jews and other race enemies during the Games. Because there was no Internet or social media at that time, and it was easy to fool people, a lot of Americans and others who went to Berlin for the Games thought that Hitler wasn't such a bad chap after all, that the persecution of Jews and others was hogwash, and Hitler laughed into his sleeve...once the games ended, he made everything even worse for Jews and others, and limited media coverage of the truth.

It was a strange time in history for Jews and African-Americans. We were also considered racially inferior or suspect in other countries, yet we saw the Olympics as our chance to shine--to beat the "master race" at sport. In many instances, we did. The Hungarian Jews were master fencers and wrestlers. And of course, everyone knows about Jesse Owens. There were many non-Aryan Olympic champions that year who showed the Germans that they are not invincible. Their victories, unfortunately, did not change Hitler's agenda.

Seventy eight years later--in 2014--the Russians will host the Summer Olympics in Sochi, by the Black Sea. In 2013, Vladimir Putin has declared a war on LGBT people and has given police and vigilante groups free reign to beat and arrest anyone even suspected of being queer. While Putin has said that foreign LGBT "guests" and athletes who participate in the Olympics will be safe, and the anti-gay laws will not apply to them, that is not good enough. As my friend nomadmatan said, "We do not need an LGBTQ Jesse Owens--we need a boycott." Any nation or corporation that has taken a stand to support LGBT rights should NOT support the Summer Olympics in Sochi.

A petition is going around to ask corporate sponsors--Coca-Cola, Panasonic, and others--to pull out of the Games. Sign it and comment if you care about human rights.

When It Comes to LGBT Rights, Think Global

On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, Minnesota became the 12th state in the Union to legalize same-sex marriage. A few days later, on Friday, May 17, 2013, almost no one in the United States called attention to the fact that it was the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO for short). In fact, no one even made mention that IDAHO was established in 2004 and is celebrated in over 100 countries around the world.

Our fight against homophobia and transphobia is not over in the United States. We still do not have federally recognized same-sex marriage in this country, nor do we have federally mandated non-discrimination against LGBT people. These things matter if you want to live as a free queer person in this country, if you would like to work and live in different parts of the United States to fulfill professional or personal ambitions. These things matter if your partner is not from the United States, as the government still is not giving green cards to people in binational same sex relationships. These things matter if you can't get the same tax breaks as everyone else, and if you can't get your partner's Social Security earnings once they pass away. It definitely matters if you have children.

Also, why is it the case that only one type of relationship will receive legal recognition? What is wrong with domestic partnership and civil unions, for heterosexual people or queer people? In fact, what is wrong with polyamory of any kind? In France, where same sex marriage was legalized the day after IDAHO, the government gives some rights and benefits to couples who choose to live together but not marry, as do most other European countries. In fact, the European Union is doing a better job in providing legal recognition of same-sex couples than the United States--only nine EU countries define marriage as between a man and a woman, as opposed to twenty nine US states against same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage does not lead to increased acceptance of gays and lesbians. In between legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota and IDAHO, three major gay bashings took place--two in New York City, and one in London, where same-sex marriage was passed in the House of Commons and soon will go up for vote in the House of Lords. The victim of the London gay bashing incident was Christopher Bryant, the editor of Polari magazine.

More than ever, the United States must join with all the member nations of the United Nations committed to combatting homophobia and transphobia. Here is the new video from the UN Human Rights Office, stating some facts, and their support.

Establishing a Workers Center in St. Cloud

AFL-CIO Labor Union Education for St. Cloud Somali Workers

(text and photos shared with permission of Stephen Philion)

On January 18th, a labor rights and union education session was held in St. Cloud, which featured a discussion with Garat Ibrahim, an organizer wtih SEIU Healthcare MN. A second meeting was held at the St. Cloud Labor Home, which discussed problems Somali workers face in the workplace and with temprary agencies in the St. Cloud region. Information about the non-profit support organization for refugees in Central MN, Hands Across the World, was also presented. These discussions are the beginning stages toward establishing a workers center in St. Cloud, MN.

The list of issues recorded on a white board that Somali workers raised at the meeting at the Labor Home in St. Cloud during the evening meeting.

 

Casey Hudek, AFL-CIO representative, explaining labor rights and law, with Abdul Kulane interpreting

  

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 2013

On Monday January 21st, 2013, we celebrate the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and we reflect upon the civil rights we have earned since his time. 2013 will mark the 50th anniversary of Dr. King's famous "I Have a Dream" Speech and his March on Washington.


People still have big dreams for the United States, and for our children. The King Center allows all of us to add our dreams to their website using this simple form. Take a look at the collection of dreams here.

According to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service website:

" Dr. King believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all, and encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence to make this country a better place to live—creating the Beloved Community. 

"The MLK Day of Service is a way to transform Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community action that helps solve social problems. That service may meet a tangible need, or it may meet a need of the spirit. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that strengthen communities, empower individuals, bridge barriers, and create solutions."

If you are interested in participating in Day of Service activities, visit this website for more information.

If you would like to get involved in social justice and community engagement more than one day out of the year, there is an open position on the St. Cloud Regional Area Human Rights Commission. You may fill out the following online application or email Mike Williams at michael.williams@ci.stcloud.mn.us
for a print application.

Human Rights Issues of 2013

2012 is over. I did not write a blog post highlighting Top Ten Human Rights issues of 2012; to be honest, I was overwhelmed by them. From the effects of environmental disasters on our daily lives to unsafe schools to human trafficking to all sorts of discrimination taking place in our own backyard, I did not know where to begin.

It is now 2013, a new year. Instead of looking back, I want to look forward, and identify some human rights issues that must be addressed by our state, as well as our nation, starting today.

1. Improvement of mental health services for all. Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek makes two statements: a. Multiple studies show a strong link between untreated mental illness and an increased risk of committing violent acts (when properly treated, even the severely mentally ill pose no greater threat than do those in the general population), and b. The state of Minnesota has the lowest number of psychiatric beds per capita in the nation. Failure to identify and help those who may be demonstrating symptoms of serious mental illness is a human rights abuse--first for the victim of mental illness, and second for the community. Heterosexual men are less likely to seek mental health services than women, and often cite that mental health services are promoted to women or LGBT communities--not to them. Meanwhile, all of the mass murderers in the United States in recent history have been boys or men suffering from serious mental illness.

2. Federal anti-discrimination policies that identify sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes. Until this comes to pass, federally recognized same sex marriage will remain a fairy tale, and incidents such as this one, where a restaurant manager in North Carolina hands a lesbian couple a letter condemning their lifestyle after they paid their bill, will continue. If that restaurant manager had handed such a letter condemning African-Americans, Jewish people, or any other minority to customers who fell into such identified category, he would have been served a lawsuit that the state of North Carolina could beat him with. The only thing a restaurant manager should say to customers paying their bill is "Thank you for your business--have a nice day."

3. Sexual harassment training and protection in all MnSCU institutions. Students and faculty remain at risk for sexual harassment in MnSCU institutions. This creates unsafe educational and work environments. Victims of sexual harassment do not get the justice they deserve, and faculty are not given the training or administrative directives to know the legal consequences of their actions. 

4. Creating sustainable lifestyles in an age of rapidly changing climates. Hurricanes, tornadoes and derechos, brush fires in Australia, record heatwaves, droughts, floods, and unprecedented cold snaps are putting an increasing human population at risk for homelessness and starvation. The world must work together to find sustainable solutions to life in unpredictable climates.

If you can think of any more issues, feel free to comment...for me, this is quite enough for one year. 

Hurricane Sandy Relief

I will just put it out there, for the record--I hate asking people for money. But a large chunk of our nation has been hit by the worst storm ever recorded in our history, and one week later people are still suffering from the aftermath. My own parents still do not have electricity or phone service. It is difficult to get gas and, in some places, basic groceries.

Senior citizens, people who depend on public transportation, and the homeless especially need assistance during this time. Some kids will still be home from school on Monday if there is no electricity and no way to get to school. For some of those kids, their school lunch may be the only meal they get to eat all day.

If you have the time to volunteer, or the money to donate, please consider the following opportunities:

1. The Ali Forney Center for LGBT Homeless Youth in NYC is under four feet of water and all computers, food, phones, and electricity wiped out. Thousands of kids depend heavily on this center for food, education, and personal safety. Please click here to learn more about how you can help. 

2. Top 12 ways to donate time, money, etc. to Hurricane Sandy victims in NYC.

3. General donation/volunteering sites:
     AmeriCares Hurricane Sandy Donations
     American Red Cross

Even spreading the word about what is happening and how to help is huge. Thank you for listening.