Radical Empathy : Finding a Path to Bridging Racial Divides

Author: Givens, Terri (McGill University and Center for Higher Education)

Social discrimination & inequality

Published on 14 February 2022 by Bristol University Press (Policy Press) in the United Kingdom.

Paperback / softback | 200 pages, 4 Illustrations, black and white
139 x 215 x 19 | 260g

Structural racism has impacted the lives of African Americans in the United States since before the country’s founding. Although the country has made some progress towards a more equal society, political developments in the 21st century have shown that deep divides remain. The persistence of inequality is an indicator of the stubborn resilience of the institutions that maintain white supremacy.

To bridge our divides, renowned political scientist Terri Givens calls for ‘radical empathy’ - moving beyond an understanding of others’ lives and pain to understand the origins of our biases, including internalized oppression.

Deftly weaving together her own experiences with the political, she offers practical steps to call out racism and bring about radical social change.