Exercise for 'Radical Empathy'

Letter to a high-caste Hindu in the early 19th Century. 
Dear Friend,

As someone who respects the teachings of our shared heritage, I'm compelled to address a distressing issue. Your actions towards those from lower income classes and marginalized castes contradict the principles of compassion, equality, and humanity.

Untouchability and mistreatment perpetuate harmful cycles of oppression, causing irreparable harm to individuals and communities. 

This behavior:
1. Perpetuates systemic injustice: Reinforcing social hierarchies and discriminatory practices.
2. Inculcates generational trauma: Passing down pain, fear, and mistrust to future generations.
3. Contradicts Brahmanical values: Negating principles of ahimsa (non-harm), karuna (compassion), and dharma (righteous living).
4. Undermines social cohesion: Fostering divisions, mistrust, and hostility.

Consider the long-term effects of your actions:

- Intergenerational trauma: Children learn from what they witness, perpetuating cycles of oppression.
- Social isolation: Marginalized communities become increasingly disconnected from mainstream society.
- Loss of human potential: Talent, skills, and contributions are wasted due to systemic barriers.

Our scriptures emphasize:

- "Vasudhaiva kutumbakam" (the world is one family)
- "Ekam sat viprah bahudha vadanti" (truth is one, wise men call it by many names)
- "Ahimsa paramo dharma" (non-harm is the highest dharma)

I urge you to:

1. Reflect on your actions: Recognize the harm caused and take responsibility.
2. Educate yourself: Learn about the experiences of marginalized communities.
3. Engage in self-critique: Question your biases and challenge harmful traditions.
4. Foster empathy: Treat others with kindness, respect, and understanding.

Break the cycle of oppression. Embody the values of compassion, equality, and justice.

Sincerely,
Kuhoo 

Carta a los primeros hombres y mujeres

Queridos amigos, les escribo desde el futuro. Sí, no se asusten, podría decirles toda una serie de cosas que  han sido inventadas y/o resueltas por la humanidad, pero no quiero abrumarles. Ustedes las irán descubriendo.

Lo que aún no ha sido resuelto, en cientos de años es la falta de empatía con el prójimo, entiéndase por prójimo al conjunto de la humanidad y más allá de ella, a todo ser vivo con capacidad de sentir y relacionarse con su entorno. 

Les invito a realizar un ejercicio de empatía y ponerse en el lugar de cada ser vivo que camina, se arrastra, nada o vuela por la tierra. Pensar en cuáles son sus intereses al amanecer de un nuevo día y cómo quisieran ser tratados por el resto de habitantes de la tierra.

Terminado el ejercicio estoy seguro que serán una mejor versión de si mismos y que en adelante su trato con nuestros compañeros de vida en esta tierra hermosa será mucho más respetuoso.

Debo despedirme, les deseo lo mejor.

G

A letter to a 15th century person
 

Dear friend from the past, this letter might surprise you. I'm also surprised to have this weird opportunity.  Sadly I am writing to you with some bad news. You have been involved in some moral tragedy (although not directly) you had contributed implicitly to perpetuate the exclusion and extermination of an important lineage of people , they called themselves the protectors of creation, the carriers of  thought and the imagination of all the things to come.

Although it is true that  their practices and rituals might seem strange at first sight: they praise the sun instead of God and feel a deep connection with the land and not for mankind. Furthermore, they leave some parts of their body uncovered without any kind of guilt.  But for some unknown reason ,they are the carriers of an important message, one that  has been forgotten by  our own culture a long time ago:  we are part of the whole and we need to be respectful and grateful with all living things. You might be wondering about the meaning of these words? trust me I  didn’t understand them fully either. But I think there is no other message that could resemble  the solutions for one of the important problems that we are facing as humankind.

I don’t have much more time left ,  there aren't enough words to condense to you  all the great inventions and ideas that have changed our story in many ways. But for now I want you to reconsider your  importance and your special role  in an unprecedented historical moment, which will expand the limits of what geographers consider as written. Please don't underestimate your value , and the value of your relatives , you still got the chance to make an impact with your own actions. You still got the chance to preserve wisdom and let future generations benefit.  

Hope this finds you well and your doing great,as it's been awhile.just taught to notify you of an issue,which needs better view,as against the perception,many hold,as regards the issue of racism ,that have been affecting alot of people and it's ongoing, despite variations,in it's engagement. The importance of we humans, cannot be overemphasized,as the choice of coming into a particular tribe, color, religion,and other socio-economic standing's,happen as natural and simple,to all and sundry, without permission. which means, the same blood ,air, alongside other outcomes that flows for all,falls in place,with no boundaries,as nature has bestowed , upon delivery to any individual,asuch, why the hate,based on external appearance and make up,which comes naturally , thereby exhibiting displeasures ,which ushers in disservice to humanity. In the words of Luther king ,who stated he seek of a day,were people would be judged,by the content and capacity they wills,than the color of their skins, because,that only amounts to discrimination and segregation,which can be attributed to a word,Called Racism.As the spirit that binds us all as Humans,implore us,at all times,to reflect that , which aids making the world a better place,for you and for me,than engaging in prejudices, alongside other reasoning,that portrays superiority of one race over another,which have brought about genocide, mass killings and violent measures,which have negatively impacted humanity at large,as we seek to chatting a better direction, through unity and harnessing our diversity as strength.At this point, I seek to remind you,to say no to racism, as we seek our political, economic, social progress, in line with the spirit of humanity that binds us all, towards improving and having a better world.And am wishing you the very best,as I hope to see you soon.

your one and only zumji!!!!

Hello my Cold-War friend,

I am aware that homosexuality is a scare of your time. Believe me, it is not nearly as bad as its made out to be. I understand that film often portrays them as selfish and villainous, but that's untrue. That's not even necessarily what film writers believe (though some surely do). There's actually specific codes in place that limit the way many characters like that are written--art under that isn't exactly a reflection of reality. Many of us have the same desires you do, of happiness and prosperity, a life of acceptance. They aren't deviants either. Statistics of my time show that they're no more or less likely than heterosexual people to be such. That's another damaging stereotype. The worrying reality is, a lot of such stereotypes come from people in power, and their own misguided fears. Though it's not necessarily easy for you, in such a politically rigid time, I hope that you and anyone else keeps a healthy questioning of power, using their own logic and knowledge to evaluate the soundness of their decisions. Recall, the government is for the needs of the many--and this includes people unlike yourself. And if you're worried of betraying religious teachings, the bible makes no mention of homosexuality (scholars believe that was a mistranslation). Furthermore, Jesus himself loved the outcasts--be like him some more. And this open attitude doesn't stop at sexuality. Some people are at odds with the gender they were assigned (their mind is truer than their body), but that doesn't get much attention until later. Still, keep an open mind to them and try to empathize with the struggle of being inside a body you don't believe to be yours. Act with compassion and consideration. 

I believe in you,

MD

Dear Friend from the past,

I’ve been thinking deeply about our society and how it treats those who do not fit into the traditional norms we’ve accepted for so long. Specifically, I’m writing to you about sexual minorities—people who are not heterosexual or cisgender. I know that you believe your views are in line with what is morally right, and that you’re just living the life that has been handed down to you by our culture. But I ask you to consider whether the treatment of sexual minorities reflects the moral values we truly hold dear, such as fairness, kindness, and the right of each individual to live a dignified life.

One thing that often goes overlooked is that sexual minorities are not choosing their identities any more than you or I chose ours. Just as you did not choose to be heterosexual, they did not choose to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. The assumption that being different in this way is inherently wrong or immoral has been shaped by cultural and religious narratives that have long gone unchallenged. But if we take a step back, we can see that these narratives are based on fear of the unknown rather than any inherent wrongdoing. We are all simply trying to live according to who we are. If we, as a society, demand that sexual minorities conform to an identity that isn’t theirs, we’re forcing them to live inauthentic lives—a fate that would surely feel oppressive and cruel if we were subjected to it ourselves.

Sexual minorities experience a great deal of suffering, much of which is preventable. Discrimination in housing, employment, healthcare, and education creates barriers that rob people of opportunities to lead fulfilling lives. Even worse, many endure violence, rejection, and isolation simply for being who they are. Can we really call ourselves just or moral if we ignore these realities? If we believe in human dignity, then we must accept that it applies to everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The evidence is there if we are willing to open our eyes to it—people who are free to express their identities without fear or repression lead happier, healthier, and more productive lives. We should want this for all people, not just those who are like us.

I encourage you to think deeply about what it means to live a moral life in this respect. Does it not include standing against unnecessary harm? Consider what it would mean for us to be complicit in this harm, even passively, through our silence or inaction. We have the ability, through understanding and empathy, to transform the world into one where everyone, regardless of their identity, can thrive. I hope you’ll join me in this.

Dear Great-Grandfather,

I understand that, in your time, it seemed justified to view certain groups as less valuable. But does dividing "us" from "them" really make sense? Those divisions are built on ignorance and fear, and they harm everyone involved.

No matter where someone comes from, what they believe, or how they look, we all share the capacity for suffering, joy, and love.

Christian values teach us to love our neighbours and treat others as we would want to be treated. Have you ever thought about what it would feel like to be in the position of those you’ve been taught to devalue? What if empathy, rather than fear or indifference, guided our actions?

In my time, I advocate for non-human animals, whose capacity for complex emotions and social bonds is now well-proven by modern science. While the issues are different, the principle is the same: empathy reveals the value in all living beings. Through reflection, we can learn to treat others with the love and respect they deserve and I truly believe this can even help us find more love, respect  and ultimately contentment for ourselves.

So.. hoping you might consider to stop hunting down polish people… and maybe go vegan too. cheers.

Dear friend,

I am writing from the future 

I know that being a leader in your era comes with difficult choices to make and that is why you have so many slaves working for you and women of color being raped and mistreated. But I want you to imagine if you were in the same shoes as they are in what could have happened and how could you have felt? Do you think it could have been a good feeling?’

I understand that you are doing this because of the society and what they perceive to be right but things will change. Every human being is equal and has the same rights and should be treated well. It might be difficult to choose the right path but things will get better.

I am looking forward to write more letters but for now, please remember that being a kind and good person always has a positive impact on others. 

Thank You!

Dear friend, 

Greetings from the future. I’ve come to learn that you are currently the owner of a slave. With all of the love in my heart, I’d like to appeal to you to free her. 

With that in mind, I’d first like to ask you a question; When you observe other people in the world and think to yourself, “that person did a good thing” or “that person did a bad thing”, by what metric are you judging the goodness or badness of their actions? Whatever your answer, are you applying that metric and a consistent manner? Please take some time to really think it over. 

My intention is not to tell you “you are wrong” or “my answer is the correct one”. But rather I’d like you to come to your own conclusion on this matter. To help you along the way, I’d encourage you to consider the work of other clever people from throughout history who have dedicated their lives to this question (and other related questions). People like Aristotle, Immanuel Kant and Jeremy Bentham. They will each attempt to provide a clear answer to this question, and give compelling reasons to adopt their viewpoint. Their views are wildly different from each other and here in the future, there is still no consensus regarding who is ultimately correct. 

Lastly, I’d like to tell you about a man who will live in the future. A man named John Rawls will be born in the year 1921 and in 1971 he will publish a book called “A Theory of Justice”. In that book he will suggest that the best way to design a just world is from a position of impartiality. He notes that in life we do not get to choose when or where we are born, or to which parents. You and I are fortunate in that we were born into relatively comfortable circumstances for our time. Others are less fortunate and are born into very difficult circumstances through no fault of their own. I ask you; is it fair or just to punish somebody for circumstances that are entirely out of their control?

Rawls presents a thought experiment. Imagine you are a god-like figure floating in the clouds trying to design a just society. Tomorrow you will enter this world (the one you create today), but you have no idea who you will be. You could be a person of colour, or a woman, or a chicken or a rock. From this position, go ahead and design the best utopian society you can possibly imagine. 

If it turns out you are a rock, presumably you won’t know you’re a rock (you won’t know anything), and so it doesn’t really matter what kind of society you design. But suppose you are a woman of colour. In that scenario, you will have interests, such as avoiding pain and your own freedom. You will have an interest in not being a slave. The nature of the society you are born into will matter to you very deeply indeed. And so, this suggests we ought to design a society in which owning slaves is not allowed (because, after all, it could have been you).

I sincerely hope you’ll take this letter seriously and adjust your actions accordingly. If you're still not convinced, I hope that this letter will at least leave you with some doubts about the moral status of slavery, and at a minimum, you might treat your slave better than you would have done otherwise. 

Your friend from the future,
Ben

P.s. Malaria is transmitted from person to person via mosquito bites.

Dear Atit,

hope you are doing well with your life. i think its long since we talked to each other.its a news from your town which reminded me of you and feeling good to connect with you once again.

today i was going through a news of an unwelcome and unwarranted event in which some people from your town harassed  few individuals just because they belong to sexual minority.

and the worst thing is that whole incident happened in a marketplace and at its peak hours. still there was not a single resistance in favour of the victims. people of all ages,men and women, of all religions,sects, cults,status,backgrounds were present and witnessed the incident.

you may wonder why you whom i want to share the incident?

because i found you quite sensible and reasonable on the issues of equality and justice.I still remember the protest against college authorities not conducting a majority of events for women in the annual sports meet.

you were also an active participant for that protest.that made me think you an reasonable and just person.

i am sure you differ in opinion that sextual minorities are not any different than the rest in any of the normal societal characteristics,inttellect,behaviour,apearence.they also follow the same physiological and biological processes every other humans do.except they cant follow the same reproduction process which a normal person do. 

because differ in some aspects of biological or sexual orientation which is by no means their own choice or the choice of anyone else relate to them.

for some this sort of orientation is a kind of imperfection. and even if we agree not to differ imperfection is very common in all spheres of life and nature around the earth.to be very true imperfection is rule of nature.

most importantly these imperfections has nothing to do with treating such minorities with discrimination,criminalizing their sexual act or selection of life partners etc. those are very private business and does not any harm to anyone.

most of your society has silently accepted the myths and stigmas attached  to these minority of people who dont even dare to esquire about their rights and why they are discriminated upon, what is their fault and how they can get the freedom to live a life of their choice?

i am very concerned about the thought of people like you on the issue. who i think has the power to move the society to a level where at least such matters can be discussed and the voice of the victims will also be heard. 

Dear Friend,

It's a pleasure to be writing to you from the future. The world has changed a lot in recent times and I am glad to see women thrive and become all they ought to be while not allowing their gender to limit them.

I know you are passionate about humans although you do not fully understand that women are first humans before being women and therefore they should be treated as humans should be they should be given a right to be educated, make informed decisions about their bodies, stay and feel safe without fear of violence, take on leadership positions, etc.

I would therefore love to encourage you to take this into consideration and reconsider the harm that the patriarchal society is having on women. It is possible to have a world where everyone irrespective of their gender is treated fairly as humans.

Greetings  friend,

 I trust this letter finds you well in the midst of the challenges and changes of our post-colonial era. I have been reflecting on the state of affairs, particularly regarding the struggle for democracy and human rights, and I find it necessary to engage in a conversation with you about a matter close to my heart: the oppression of women.

In our current reality, the plight of Kenyan and African women remains a significant concern, marked by challenges such as gender-based discrimination, and violence against women. Cases of femicide have been on the rise, just the other day Kenyan women had to take it to the streets for a peaceful plea to the government to put measures to end femicide. I struggle with understanding how much can be done now  that our society has been shaped by the aftermath of colonial rule, and the consequences of an autocratic government combined with underdeveloped economies.

I like the term empowerment because no one has defined it clearly yet, so it gives us a breathing space to work it out in action terms before we have to pin ourselves down to what it means from one friend to another, implore you to consider the elimination of gender-based discrimination as a fundamental step towards a more just society. Women, just like men, are entitled to equal opportunities, access to education, and the freedom to pursue their aspirations. Denying them these rights not only hinders individual potential but also undermines the progress of our entire community.

Violence against women is a scourge that must be eradicated. It not only inflicts physical harm but also perpetuates a culture of fear and silence. By championing the cause against gender-based violence, we contribute to the creation of a safer and more compassionate society.

I want to draw your attention to the remarkable achievements of women in our present world. Starting with our very own Wangari Maathai a Kenyan politician and environmental activist who was awarded the 2004 Nobel prize becoming the first black African woman to win a Nobel prize. Today, Africa stands as a global leader in women's public leadership, with several nations, including Rwanda, demonstrating exemplary representation in parliaments and cabinets. African women are not confined to national institutions; they play pivotal roles in international organizations, contributing to vital issues such as peace and security, gender justice, climate change, and economic development.

As we navigate the challenges of our time, let us work towards a future where the rights and contributions of women are acknowledged and celebrated. By embracing equality and fostering an environment that values the agency and potential of every individual, we contribute to the betterment of our society as a whole.

I look forward to engaging in further dialogue on this matter, hoping that together, we can sow the seeds of positive change.

Wishing you strength and wisdom in your reflections.

Prezado Aristóteles,

Escrevo para você do futuro! Nesta semana  mesmo toquei em seu nome... Falava sobre a ética da virtude. Como , supostamente, para você a ética deveria ser racional, baseada em suas consequências. Por isso, penso que deve realizar um exercício ético para a sua própria posteridade! O Sr já pensou em sua morte?! Calma... não venho alertar-te sobre ela, não tenho possibilidade sobre isso... Gostaria que pensasse... Depois de sua morte.. quem estaria sofrendo por isso?! Filho...netos? De seus filhos e netos sabemos que pensa em seu futuro depois de sua morte. Mas e de sua esposa? Gostaria que fizesse uma reflexão de como ela ficaria de sua morte. O que pode acontecer de extremo? Ela tirar a própria vida?! O que pode acontecer de sua falta de reação? Não ligar para a sua morte e continuar a vida da mesma forma? Pois então, penso que o caminho seria o do meio! Como você, Aristóteles, pode assegurar-se que sua esposa não irá detesta lo para o resto de sua vida ou não irá sequer lembrar de sua existência?! O que você teria que propor em seu testamento para chegar a este meio termo?

Seu Eterno Aluno, Flavio Bartoszeck. 

Dear friend,

I hope you don't get scared by the content of this letter. Believe it or not, I am writing from the future! I know that you, as a woman, have had a lot of questions about your sense of belonging, and what you think is fair. I know it has been difficult, and your thoughts about the world are different from the rest of the people you usually to talk to. I want you to know that this thought is not true; you are surrounded by a lot of people that, just like you, is noticing that are things that have to be changed, but talk about it takes time and courage; give everyone a little bit of time!
I can't tell you everything that is going to happen, it would be too difficult. But you need to know that even your smallest actions will have an impact. Thank you for having the courage, for never giving up, and for staying with your ideals. Things are going to be better.

I am looking forward to share you more things. For now, please remember that everything is worth it. Good luck and keep going. 

Hello traditional Maasai Elders

I hope you are doing well and that the community is thriving. I am reaching out to you from the future with some information that is crucial to changing the direction of our community. This information is about the patriarchy practised in our community and why things should change.

It has long been held that men are the leaders of the community and that women should be subversive to them. In the current world, this is called sexism - the idea that people of one gender (women in this case) are inferior to the other. There are many reasons that you might have to think this way but they are unfounded. 

Think of the things that women are put through in your time. Girls are taken out of school and married off early to older men of your choosing. They are then made to have children from an early age, without taking into account their consent. This is a violation of their rights - why would a person be denied the right to an education, the right to a life of freedom, the right to a choice of their life partner, the right to choose when to have children - just because of their gender?

Another great atrocity that your daughters, sisters, and wives have been put through is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Imagine the pain they go through and the danger it poses to their health. In the modern world, this practice has been outlawed because it is such a massive violation. Please consider the effects and you shall see why this decision was made.

In the modern world, women are treated equally as men. This has led to incredible gains in development and societal growth that your descendants enjoy. Women are just as intelligent and hard-working as men and given the opportunity, they shall help your generation make changes that shall forever reverberate in the community all the way to my present times. Please give equality a chance, for everyone in the community and ensure for each to count for one and none for more and you shall reap the fruits.
 

Thank you,

Your son from a thriving future in which all genders are equal